A meta-analysis of 11 studies (12 comparisons) found that individuals who meditate have longer telomeres than control participants, with an overall weighted effect size of g = .40. After removing an outlier, the effect shrank to g = .16. More hours of meditation were associated with larger effects. The authors conclude that these findings provide tentative support for the hypothesis that meditation is linked to longer telomeres and that greater practice time may strengthen the association, suggesting meditation-based interventions could prevent telomere shortening or lengthen telomeres.
Mindfulness, both as a psychological construct and a clinical intervention, has drawn considerable research interest. This review examines three empirical areas: cross-sectional studies linking mindfulness to psychological health, intervention research on mindfulness-oriented programs, and laboratory experiments on immediate effects of mindfulness inductions. The evidence indicates that mindfulness is associated with increased subjective well-being, reduced psychological symptoms and emotional reactivity, and improved behavioral regulation. The authors discuss mechanisms of change and suggest directions for future research, concluding that mindfulness brings about various positive psychological effects.