Epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene activity in response to environmental stimuli without altering DNA sequences, enabling real-time adaptation. Both favorable and unfavorable lifestyles leave epigenetic marks that can be reversed or persist across generations. Meditation activates inner resources to cope with adverse experiences, while unhealthy habits, stress, and early-life trauma may promote inflammation and neuroendocrine dysregulation. Mindfulness-based techniques alleviate such symptoms. Meditation induces structural brain changes, modulates circulating factors, and alters expression of genes linked to the HPA axis and immune systems. This chapter reviews pioneering research on how meditation promotes health by reshaping DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.
A movement meditation called Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) reduced levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and increased creativity in healthy adults. Thirty participants were divided into a QMT group that practiced for two months and a passive control group. Salivary IL-1β protein decreased and performance on the Alternate Uses Task, a measure of creativity, improved in the QMT group compared with controls. The findings suggest that non-pharmacological mind-body practices can reduce inflammation and support cognitive function.
Mindful practices such as mindfulness meditation, Vipassana, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Quadrato Motor Training can positively impact well-being by inducing a state of inner silence, which counteracts the negative effects of environmental noise and relieves stress-related symptoms. These practices act as emotional and attentional regulatory activities that increase self-awareness. The positive outcomes rely on physiological and biochemical activities, and recent research has begun to investigate the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms influenced by these practices, which regulate gene activity in real time without modifying the DNA sequence.