Effects of meditation and mind-body exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor: A literature review of human experimental studies
Sports Medicine and Health Science March 1, 2020 T. You, Elisa F. Ogawa
A review of 15 studies suggests that mindfulness meditation and mind-body exercises such as yoga and tai chi may increase circulating concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuroplasticity and cognitive function. The evidence comes from seven randomized controlled trials, three non-randomized studies, and five uncontrolled studies. However, many of these studies had small sample sizes or lacked randomized controls, so the findings are not definitive. Further research is needed to confirm whether these practices reliably boost BDNF and improve brain function across different populations.