Heartfulness meditation alters neuroendocrine profiles: A randomized controlled trial on hormones of stress and well-being.
Sanjana T Philip, Jayaram Thimmapuram, Kapil Thakur, Navami Dayal, Yogesh Patil, Kishore Sabbu, Samruddhi Surve, Poonam Patil, Mansee Thakur
Medicine November 21, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000045559 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial with crossover design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Heartfulness meditation |
| Duration | 30-day intervention, measurements at day 30 and day 60 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Heartfulness meditation Cortisol Endorphins Neurotransmitters Oxytocin Stress |
| Key findings | Heartfulness meditation significantly increases oxytocin and β-endorphins, decreases cortisol, and improves meditation depth and emotional states. |
Abstract
Chronic stress disrupts the neuroendocrine system, leading to imbalances in neurotransmitters and stress hormones such as oxytocin, β endorphins and cortisol, contributing to mood disorders and poor emotional regulation. Complementary and alternative practices like meditation have shown promising results in stress regulation and mood elevation. Heartfulness (HFN) meditation, rooted in yogic traditions and incorporating yogic transmission, is an emerging technique to improve emotional resilience and hormonal homeostasis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of HFN meditation on oxytocin, β-endorphins, and cortisol. It also evaluated the changes in meditation depth using validated psychometric tools. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group practiced guided HFN meditation for 30 days. Following this, a crossover design was implemented in which, the control group participants were now given the intervention of HFN meditation. Biochemical markers (serum oxytocin, β-endorphins, cortisol) were measured at day 30, and day 60. Psychometric assessments included the Meditation Depth Questionnaire and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). HFN meditation significantly improved meditation depth (ΔM = -14.87, 95% CI [-23.61,-6.13], P = .001, r = 0.333) and positive affect (ΔM = -8.48, 95% CI [-12.03,-4.93], P < .001, r = 0.29), while reducing negative affect (ΔM = 7.70, 95% CI [3.81, 11.60], P < .001, r = 0.21). Oxytocin and endorphin levels increased (oxytocin ΔM = +88.18, P = .003, r = 0.355 and endorphin ΔM = +94.83, P = .003, r = 0.357), and cortisol decreased (ΔM = -133.55, P < .001, r = 0.661). After crossover, the control group exhibited similar improvements. Negative correlations were found between cortisol and both oxytocin and β-endorphins. HFN meditation significantly modulates stress-related neuroendocrine markers and enhances positive emotional states. By increasing the levels of these happy hormones and reducing cortisol, HFN presents a promising non-pharmacological intervention for improving mental health and stress resilience.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 13
- Heartfulness Meditation: A Yogic and Neuroscientific Perspective Frontiers in Psychology May 10, 2022
- Impact of Heartfulness meditation practice on anxiety, perceived stress, well-being, and telomere length. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- The role of endogenous opioids in mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation for the direct alleviation of evoked chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Neuropsychopharmacology June 1, 2024
- Oxytocin Modulation in Mindfulness-Based Pain Management for Chronic Pain. Life February 15, 2024
- Effect of Heartfulness Meditation on Stress Biomarkers, Burnout and Well-Being: A Randomized Controlled Study. Stress and Health April 1, 2025
and 8 more in the library