Molecules of Silence: Effects of Meditation on Gene Expression and Epigenetics

Abstract

Many studies have consistently demonstrated an epigenetic link between environmental stimuli and physiological as well as cognitive responses. Epigenetic mechanisms represent a way to regulate gene activity in real time without modifying the DNA sequence, thus allowing the genome to adapt its functions to changing environmental contexts. Factors such as lifestyle, behavior, and the practice of sitting and moving mindful activities have been shown to be important means of environmental enrichment. Such practices, which include mindfulness meditation, Vipassana, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Quadrato Motor Training, have been reported to positively impact well-being. In fact, they can be considered emotional and attentional regulatory activities, which, by inducing a state of greater inner silence, allow the development of increased selfawareness. Inner silence can therefore be considered a powerful tool to counteract the negative effects of overabundant environmental noise, thanks to its power to relieve stress-related symptoms. Since all these positive outcomes rely on physiological and biochemical activities, the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms influenced by different mindful practices have recently started to be investigated. Here, we review some of the findings that could allow us to uncover the mechanisms by which specific practices influence well-being.

Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat

“…These results suggest meditation differentially express several genes related to oxidative stress in agreement with a previous study [33]. The downregulated module also included genes regulating the cell cycle, suggesting that meditation may exert effects on cell cycle regulation through transcriptional regulation, in agreement with previous studies [20].…”

“…These parameters are typically measured with selfreported surveys before and after meditation interventions, and such an approach may be prone to bias and subjectivity. Several studies on meditative practices have, however, shown changes in gene expression levels demonstrating that these methods may benefit physiology at its most fundamental level [20, 21]. Nevertheless, most of the previous studies are: (a) cross-sectional studies (evaluating only one time-point) [22–26], (b) done on highly experienced meditators [22, 23], (c) small sample-sized [22–24, 26, 27], (d) tested on handpicked non-specific biomarkers [25, 26], and (e) confounded with different lifestyle and diet [22, 25, 26].…”

Glutamate: The Master Neurotransmitter and Its Implications in Chronic Stress and Mood Disorders

“…Mindfulness has a strong impact on brain glutamate and GABA levels observed in the brains of people who practice meditation (e.g., Zen Mediation, Transcendental Meditation, Buddhist Meditation; Fayed et al, 2013;Venditti et al, 2020). A cross-sectional study comparing the brains of meditators from a Zen Buddhist monastery with healthy non-meditators showed differences on glutamate levels in the left thalamus, which may indicate a higher level of efficiency of glutamate metabolism in this area in the case of meditators (Fayed et al, 2013).…”

Changes Induced by Mind–Body Intervention Including Epigenetic Marks and Its Effects on Diabetes

“…Therefore, MBI provides a component corresponding to the environmental abundance. Indeed, MBI changes epigenetic modifications, as well as mental and physical functions as follows [113,114] (Table 2). [115], but there are no reports regarding non-coding RNA at present (Table 2).…”