Meditation can change DNA activity

A new study published by the Public Library of Science reveals that meditation can actually have measurable effects on stress. The study found that in comparison to a control group of people who had never meditated, a group of regular meditators actually suppressed twice the number of genes that induce stress responses such as high blood pressure and inflammation in the body.

Long term effects of the expression of stress-related genes can have very harmful effects on health, including high blood pressure or chronic pain. Those who meditate regularly are thus at a greatly decreased risk for developing these problems.

The study also found that once the control group began a regimen for meditating, which involved about 10 minutes a day of calming mental activities, they too began suppressing stress-related genes. Studies like these demonstrate the profound effect the mind can have on the body, a concept often overlooked by scientists.