Scientists have long suspected meditation influences health, but proving biological effects at the molecular level has remained elusive. A collaborative study from Maharishi International University, the University of Siegen in Germany, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences has now found measurable differences in gene expression, brain function, and stress biomarkers among people who practice Transcendental Meditation.
The research team, led by Dr. Kenneth Walton and Dr. Frederick Travis, examined four groups totaling 89 participants: young adults who had practiced TM for about 12 years, older adults with roughly 40 years of practice, and age-matched control groups who had never meditated. Participants ranged from 20 to 72 years old.
Analysis revealed differences in aging-related genes. The researchers examined 13 genes associated with biological aging, finding that most showed higher expression in older non‑meditators compared to younger controls—a typical age-related pattern. Among older long-term practitioners, however, 7 of these 13 genes showed lower expression than in age-matched non-meditators. For 6 of these genes, expression levels in older meditators fell between young and old controls, suggesting a more youthful profile. One of the most notable genes, SOCS3, which is linked to inflammation and chronic stress responses, showed consistently lower activity in meditators, with older practitioners displaying levels statistically identical to young non-meditators.
Brain function measurements reinforced these molecular findings. Both meditation groups scored higher on the Brain Integration Scale, which assesses how well different brain regions work together. Remarkably, older practitioners performed on par with young non-meditators, suggesting their brains maintained more youthful function. Electroencephalogram tests showed older meditators processed information significantly faster than age-matched controls, with shorter latencies in key cognitive markers.
Hair analyses provided additional evidence of reduced physiological stress. Researchers measured persistent levels of cortisol and its inactive form, cortisone, in hair samples—indicators of chronic stress exposure over months. The ratio of active cortisol to inactive cortisone was consistently lower in TM practitioners compared to non-meditating controls across all age comparisons, with hair cortisol levels also lower in the younger meditation group and combined meditation groups.
Transcendental Meditation involves silently repeating a mantra or sound for 15 to 20 minutes twice daily. The practice differs from mindfulness meditation in that it aims for a state of restful alertness rather than focused attention. Dr. Travis explained that regular practice may reduce the stress response that accumulates from daily pressures, potentially slowing wear and tear at the cellular level.
The study, published in the journal Biomolecules in February 2025, is one of the first to jointly examine gene expression, brain integration, and hair-based stress markers in long-term meditation practitioners. While the research is cross-sectional and demonstrates association rather than causation, and the sample size remains modest, the convergence of genetic, neurological, and hormonal evidence suggests that sustained meditation practice may be associated with healthier aging across multiple biological systems. The findings open new avenues for understanding how contemplative practices might contribute to resilience against age-related decline.