Meditation, stress processes, and telomere biology.
Quinn A Conklin, Alexandra D Crosswell, Clifford D Saron, Elissa S Epel
Current Opinion in Psychology November 19, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.11.009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Telomere Humans Stress, psychological Cellular senescence |
| Key findings | Argues that while theoretical and empirical work suggests meditation training can improve telomere regulation and may contribute to healthy aging, the psychological and biological mechanisms and boundary conditions remain underspecified. Proposes a model in which meditation training affects acute and habitual stress responses as pathways to improved cell aging. |
Abstract
Both theoretical and empirical work support the notion that meditation training can improve telomere regulation, which may ultimately contribute to healthy aging. Yet, the psychological and biological mechanisms underlying these changes remain underspecified, as do the contexts and boundary conditions in which these changes occur. Here we summarize studies investigating the effects of various meditation-based interventions on telomere biology, making suggestions for future research. We then propose a model describing how meditation training may impact acute and habitual stress responses as pathways to improved cell aging.
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 19
- Meditation and Its Mental and Physical Health Benefits in 2023. Cureus June 1, 2023
- Mindfulness Interventions and Surveys as Tools for Positive Emotional Regulation During COVID-19: A Scoping Review Mindfulness October 19, 2023
- Consumer-Grade Neurofeedback With Mindfulness Meditation: Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research April 17, 2025
- Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial medRxiv March 5, 2023
- Improving Mindfulness, Quality of Life, and Controlling Cellular Aging through Meditation Sustainable development April 3, 2023
and 14 more in the library
Cites 21
- Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources PLoS Biology May 4, 2007
- Investigating the phenomenological matrix of mindfulness-related practices from a neurocognitive perspective. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Psychoneuroendocrinology June 1, 2011
- Can Meditation Slow Rate of Cellular Aging? Cognitive Stress, Mindfulness, and Telomeres Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2009
- Specific reduction in cortisol stress reactivity after social but not attention-based mental training Science Advances October 4, 2017
and 16 more in the library