Meditation has recently gained popularity as a means of reducing stress and improving general well-being. Originally an ancient Eastern practice, meditation has also caught on in Western culture as a means of increasing longevity. At its core, meditation is about observing your thoughts without judging them.
One of the most important benefits of meditation is its ability to lower cortisol levels, which are associated with stress. Chronic stress can lead to inflammation, which is known to contribute to various health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Stress triggers inflammation through various mechanisms, including hormonal responses, activation of the sympathetic nervous system, immune system overreactions, oxidative stress, and changes in the gut microbiota.
Research has shown that intensive meditation practices such as the Isha Samyama practice can reduce chronic inflammation over time. Studies have shown that physical symptoms such as weight loss and lowering of C-reactive protein improved in participants who engaged in these practices. In addition, meditation has been linked to improved brain connectivity, which may help prevent the onset of mental illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Meditation offers numerous scientifically proven benefits overall, including increased self-awareness, relaxation, and calmness. Many research results indicate that, in addition to psychological effects, meditation also has direct positive effects on physical health, for example on cell aging. A recent study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term meditation practice on quality of life, state of mindfulness, and telomerase plasma levels in healthy adults.
A total of 30 experienced long-term meditators and 30 age- and gender-matched non-meditators were recruited for the study. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) was used to measure the level of mindfulness, while the Quality of Life Questionnaire assessed quality of life. Plasma telomerase enzyme levels were measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
The results showed that practiced meditators had a significantly better level of mindfulness and quality of life than non-meditators (p < 0.001). In addition, practiced meditators were found to have higher plasma telomerase levels compared to non-meditators (p = 0.002). The duration of meditation practice was found to be significantly related to the mindfulness trait and plasma telomerase levels (p = 0.046 and p = 0.011, respectively). A regression analysis showed that the level of mindfulness significantly predicted plasma telomerase levels (p < 0.001).
This study adds to the growing body of evidence on the long-term benefits of meditation for well-being and healthy aging. The results suggest that incorporating meditation-based activities into lifestyle may help improve quality of life, mindfulness, and physical health. Further research is needed to explore the specific biological and psychological mechanisms underlying these effects.
Incorporating a regular meditation practice into one’s lifestyle can have numerous benefits for physical and mental longevity. In addition to a healthy diet, including supplements, and sufficient physical activity, research shows that meditation is a free and easily accessible method that has been shown to promote longevity. By reducing stress and inflammation, improving brain connectivity (neuroplasticity), and promoting overall well-being, meditation can be an effective tool for a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
