Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein involved in learning and neuroplasticity, was measured in experienced meditators before and during a month-long silent retreat. Participants with higher BDNF levels at the start of the retreat showed greater increases in telomere length over three weeks. However, BDNF levels did not change on average during the retreat, and higher BDNF was linked to lower telomerase activity. The findings suggest that a person's baseline BDNF, rather than changes induced by meditation, may influence cellular aging markers.
Intensive meditation during a one-month residential Insight retreat was associated with an apparent increase in telomere length compared to a control group of experienced meditators not on retreat. Personality traits moderated this effect: retreat participants highest in neuroticism and lowest in agreeableness showed the greatest telomere length increases. Changes in telomere-related gene expression suggested improved telomere maintenance, including increases in Gar1 and HnRNPA1. No group-level changes in telomerase activity were observed, but retreat participants' telomerase activity at post-assessment was inversely related to retreat engagement and prior meditation experience. Neuroticism also predicted variation in telomerase activity across the retreat.