Molecules of Silence: Effects of Meditation on Gene Expression and Epigenetics.
Sabrina Venditti, Loredana Verdone, Anna Reale, Valerio Vetriani, Micaela Caserta, Michele Zampieri
Frontiers in Psychology 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01767 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Epigenetic marks Epigenetics Gene-expression Silence |
| Key findings | Mindful practices that induce inner silence can positively impact well-being by relieving stress-related symptoms, and their effects are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. |
Abstract
Many studies have consistently demonstrated an epigenetic link between environmental stimuli and physiological as well as cognitive responses. Epigenetic mechanisms represent a way to regulate gene activity in real time without modifying the DNA sequence, thus allowing the genome to adapt its functions to changing environmental contexts. Factors such as lifestyle, behavior, and the practice of sitting and moving mindful activities have been shown to be important means of environmental enrichment. Such practices, which include mindfulness meditation, Vipassana, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Quadrato Motor Training, have been reported to positively impact well-being. In fact, they can be considered emotional and attentional regulatory activities, which, by inducing a state of greater inner silence, allow the development of increased self-awareness. Inner silence can therefore be considered a powerful tool to counteract the negative effects of overabundant environmental noise, thanks to its power to relieve stress-related symptoms. Since all these positive outcomes rely on physiological and biochemical activities, the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms influenced by different mindful practices have recently started to be investigated. Here, we review some of the findings that could allow us to uncover the mechanisms by which specific practices influence well-being.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 22
- Yoga and the Need of Its Integration in Modern Medicine Journal of the Association of Physicians of India December 1, 2022
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Clinical Symptoms and DNA Methylation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and High Metabolic Risk Current Issues in Molecular Biology March 24, 2023
- Traditional Islamic spiritual meditative practices: powerful psychotherapies for mental wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Neural and molecular changes during a mind-body reconceptualization, meditation, and open label placebo healing intervention Communications Biology November 6, 2025
- Enhancing Equanimity With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: A Novel Framework for Mindfulness Interventions. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging April 1, 2025
and 17 more in the library
Cites 21
- Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience March 26, 2018
- Why could meditation practice help promote mental health and well-being in aging? Alzheimer's Research & Therapy June 22, 2018
- White Matter Microstructural Changes Following Quadrato Motor Training: A Longitudinal Study Frontiers in Human Neuroscience December 7, 2017
- Inner Design Technology: Improved Affect by Quadrato Motor Training InTech eBooks July 5, 2017
- Epigenetics and meditation. Current Opinion in Psychology August 1, 2019
and 16 more in the library