A Day of Mindfulness Alters Gene Expression, Study Suggests

Rebecca Lewis December 10, 2013

Previous research has shown that practising meditation regularly can literally change the brain structure, resulting to better cognition. Now, a new study from US and European scientists suggests specific molecular changes within the body following a period of mindfulness meditation.

For the current study, the researchers examined the effects of a day of extensive mindfulness practice in a group of experienced meditators, compared to a group of untrained participants who engaged in quiet non-meditative activities.

After 8 hours of practising meditation, participants in the experimental group showed a range of genetic and molecular differences, including altered levels of gene-regulating machinery and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory genes. These changes increased their physical ability to recover from a stressful situation. Specifically, it altered the pro-inflammatory genes RIPK2 and COX2, and the histone deacetylase (HDAC) genes which regulate the activity of other genes epigenetically by removing a type of chemical tag.

Prior the study, the researchers note that there were no differences between the gene-modifying DNA of the two groups. The benefits were observed only among the participants who practised mindfulness meditation.

According to the researchers, this is the first study to show rapid alterations in gene expression and suggests as a potential biological mechanism for therapeutic effects. Past studies have shown that meditation poses beneficial effects on inflammatory disorders. Currently, it is being endorsed by doctors as a ‘preventive intervention’.

“Our genes are quite dynamic in their expression and these results suggest that the calmness of our mind can actually have a potential influence on their expression,” says study author Richard J. Davidson. Whilst more studies are needed, especially in assessing the long-term effects of meditation, the current findings could lay foundation to investigate the potential benefits of this therapy in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions.

The study was published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Source of this article:

Can Meditation Foster Genetic, Molecular Changes?