Mindfulness-based stress reduction program improves psychological well-being and blood pressure in an Italian context: potential mechanisms and benefits.
Psychology, Health & Medicine September 23, 2025 Rita Canella, Teresa Fazia, Concetta Gardi
An 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program lowered perceived stress, anxiety, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, salivary cortisol, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, while increasing awareness and plasma carotenoid levels in 42 adult volunteers. Changes in stress and anxiety correlated with changes in IL-8 and awareness. The program appears to reduce nervous system activation and cortisol, thereby lowering inflammation and oxidative stress, which may help manage hypertension and other stress-related conditions.