Meditation Linked to Enhanced MRI Signal Intensity in the Pineal Gland and Reduced Predicted Brain Age.
Journal of pineal research March 1, 2025 Emanuele R G Plini, Michael C Melnychuk, Paul M Dockree
Long-term meditators show greater pineal gland signal intensity on MRI and younger estimated brain age compared to non-meditators. More lifetime hours of meditation practice correlate with stronger pineal gland signal, though not directly with grey matter maintenance. Greater pineal signal and younger brain age are linked in meditators. The pineal gland produces melatonin, which regulates sleep and may protect against cognitive decline. Findings suggest meditation may influence subcortical brain structures and slow brain aging, possibly through melatonin's effects on sleep, immunity, inflammation, and neural regeneration.