The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials
Frontiers in Psychology September 15, 2020 Patama Gomutbutra, Nalinee Yingchankul, Nipon Chattipakorn et al.
A meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials with 479 adults found that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly increased peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) compared to no intervention. Both exercise-based and meditation-based MBIs raised BDNF levels, with no significant difference between the two types. Participant age and total hours of MBI practice did not correlate with the size of the BDNF increase. The findings are based on a small number of heterogeneous studies, suggesting but not confirming that MBIs can boost BDNF.