A collaborative study conducted by researchers from Maharishi International University (MIU), the University of Siegen, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences has revealed that long-term practitioners of Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) exhibit favorable biological markers related to aging and stress reduction. The study compared gene expression, cognitive function through EEG analysis, and hair glucocorticoid levels (cortisol and cortisone) in individuals who had practiced TM for 12 and 40 years with non-meditators.
Molecular Evidence of Health Benefits
The study provides compelling evidence that prolonged engagement in TM leads to a wide range of health benefits at the molecular level. Differences in gene expression, cognitive performance indicators, and reduced cortisol levels suggest a significant reduction in both stress and the aging process.
“The findings demonstrate that long-term practice of TM technologies has a profound impact on stress reduction and biological aging,” said Supaya Wenuganen, a lead author from MIU.
The research is published in the journal Biomolecules under the special issue “Molecular Advances in Mechanism and Regulation of Lifespan and Aging.”
Lower Inflammatory Gene Expression and Reduced Stress
One of the study’s key findings was the decreased expression of genes linked to inflammation and aging, particularly the SOCS3 gene. This gene is associated with chronic stress and energy metabolism, and its reduced activity in TM practitioners suggests a lower “allostatic load,” the cumulative burden of stress on the body.
Kenneth Walton, senior researcher at MIU and co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of these results. “The lower expression of age-related genes and decreased hair cortisol levels in TM practitioners extend findings from previous short-term studies, suggesting that TM supports healthy aging and enhances stress resilience.”
Slower Cognitive Decline with Age
Cognitive function naturally declines with age, but the study found that TM practitioners maintained sharper cognitive abilities compared to non-meditators. EEG recordings were used to measure the latency of N2 and P3 evoked potential responses, a marker of cognitive processing speed. Results showed that older TM practitioners exhibited response speeds similar to younger participants.
Additionally, TM practitioners scored higher on the Brain Integration Scale (BIS), which assesses reaction time, brainwave coherence, and attention.
“The cognitive function findings are particularly striking,” said co-author Frederick Travis. “Both younger and older TM practitioners had higher BIS scores than non-meditators, with older meditators performing at levels comparable to younger controls. This supports the protective role of TM against age-related cognitive decline.”
Lower Cortisol-to-Cortisone Ratio Signals Stress Resilience
The study also measured the concentration of cortisol and its inactive precursor, cortisone, in participants’ hair samples. TM practitioners consistently exhibited a lower ratio of active to inactive forms, reinforcing previous findings that regular TM practice helps sustain lower stress levels.
“Cortisol plays a crucial role in the body’s stress response, and chronically high levels are linked to various age-related health problems, including cognitive decline,” Walton explained. “The lower cortisol-to-cortisone ratio in meditators suggests they possess a greater adaptive reserve and resilience, contributing to overall health and longevity.”
Building on Existing Meditation Research
The findings align with previous studies from MIU and other institutions demonstrating the health benefits of TM, including reduced cardiovascular risk and improved mental health. By examining biological, cognitive, and stress-related markers, the study provides a holistic view of how meditation may influence long-term health.
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