Meditation May Improve Immune Function

This 2023 study examined whether blood samples taken from participants before and after an intensive meditation retreat showed changes that could influence immune and inflammatory responses related to COVID-19.

For the study, novice meditators, experienced meditators, and non-meditating controls took part in a 7-day intensive meditation retreat, after which blood samples were collected before and after the program. Researchers then used these blood samples in laboratory tests to examine how meditation-related biological changes might influence immune responses.

Researchers found that post-meditation blood plasma altered inflammatory signaling and cellular stress responses in laboratory models, suggesting that meditation is associated with physiological changes to the immune system that may have potential therapeutic relevance. The authors emphasize that findings are preliminary and do not establish meditation as a standalone treatment for COVID-19 or any other virus, but rather as a possible complementary approach warranting further clinical study.

The authors selected several key highlights from the study:

• Duration of meditation practice may affect vulnerability to and recovery from COVID-19.
• Blood plasma from experienced meditators reduces viral infection in lab-cultured lung cells.
• Meditation is associated with increased SERPINA5, a group of genes involved in immune regulation.
• Consistent meditation practice may enhance well-being through measurable biological changes.

The meditation retreats where participants were observed were organized and run by Encephalon, a company founded by Dr. Joe Dispenza, who is also a co-author on the paper. The authors disclose this relationship as a potential conflict of interest, and results should be interpreted with this context in mind.