Effects of stress and mindfulness on epigenetics.
Ayman Mukerji Househam
Vitamins and hormones 2023 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.11.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic stress Epigenetic age Epigenetics Subtelomere |
| Key findings | Argues that mindfulness-based interventions may counteract stress-induced epigenetic changes through multiple biological pathways. |
Abstract
Epigenetics are heritable changes in the rate of gene expression without any modification of the DNA sequence and occur in response to environmental changes. Tangible changes to the external surroundings may be practical causes for epigenetic modifications, playing a potential evolutionary role. While fight, flight, or freeze responses once served a concrete role in survival, modern humans may not face similar existential threats that warrant psychological stress. Yet, chronic mental stress is predominant in modern life. This chapter elucidates the deleterious epigenetic changes that occur due to chronic stress. In an exploration of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as a potential antidote to such stress-induced epigenetic modifications, several pathways of action are uncovered. The epigenetic changes that occur because of mindfulness practice are demonstrated across the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, serotonergic transmission, genomic health and aging, and neurological biomarkers.
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
Cites 7
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Methylation of FKBP5 and SLC6A4 in Relation to Treatment Response to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2018
- Epigenetic clock analysis in long-term meditators. Psychoneuroendocrinology November 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Stress Management Intervention for Cancer Care Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine April 1, 2017
- From a state to a trait: Trajectories of state mindfulness in meditation during intervention predict changes in trait mindfulness Personality and Individual Differences July 1, 2015
and 2 more in the library