Cited by 432Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

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Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators

Jacobs, Tonya L., Epel, Elissa S., Lin, Jue, Blackburn, Elizabeth H., Wolkowitz, Owen M., Bridwell, David A., Zanesco, Anthony P., Aichele, Stephen R., Sahdra, Baljinder K., MacLean, Katherine A., King, Brandon G., Shaver, Phillip R., Rosenberg, Erika L., Ferrer, Emilio, Wallace, B. Alan, Saron, Clifford D.·2011·Psychoneuroendocrinology

DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.09.010

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Abstract

Background Telomerase activity is a predictor of long-term cellular viability, which decreases with chronic psychological distress (Epel et al., 2004). Buddhist traditions claim that meditation decreases psychological distress and promotes well-being (e.g., Dalai Lama and Cutler, 2009). Therefore, we investigated the effects of a 3-month meditation retreat on telomerase activity and two major contributors to the experience of stress: Perceived Control (associated with decreased stress) and Neuroticism (associated with increased subjective distress). We used mediation models to test whether changes in Perceived Control and Neuroticism explained meditation retreat effects on telomerase activity. In addition, we investigated whether two qualities developed by meditative practice, increased Mindfulness and Purpose in Life, accounted for retreat-related changes in the two stress-related variables and in telomerase activity.Methods Retreat participants (n=30) meditated for ∼6 h daily for 3 months and were compared with a wait-list control group (n=30) matched for age, sex, body mass index, and prior meditation experience. Retreat participants received instruction in concentrative meditation techniques and complementary practices used to cultivate benevolent states of mind (Wallace, 2006). Psychological measures were assessed pre- and post-retreat. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples were collected post-retreat for telomerase activity. Because there were clear, a priori hypotheses, 1-tailed significance criteria were used throughout.Results Telomerase activity was significantly greater in retreat participants than in controls at the end of the retreat (p<0.05). Increases in Perceived Control, decreases in Neuroticism, and increases in both Mindfulness and Purpose in Life were greater in the retreat group (p<0.01). Mediation analyses indicated that the effect of the retreat on telomerase was mediated by increased Perceived Control and decreased Neuroticism. In turn, changes in Perceived Control and Neuroticism were both partially mediated by increased Mindfulness and Purpose in Life. Additionally, increases in Purpose in Life directly mediated the telomerase group difference, whereas increases in Mindfulness did not.Conclusions This is the first study to link meditation and positive psychological change with telomerase activity. Although we did not measure baseline telomerase activity, the data suggest that increases in perceived control and decreases in negative affectivity contributed to an increase in telomerase activity, with implications for telomere length and immune cell longevity. Further, Purpose in Life is influenced by meditative practice and directly affects both perceived control and negative emotionality, affecting telomerase activity directly as well as indirectly.

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Sahdra, B.K., MacLean, K.A., Ferrer, E., Shaver, P.R., Rosenberg, E.L., Jacobs, T.L., Zanesco, A.P., Aichele, S.R., King, B.G., Bridwell, D.A., Lavy, S., Mangun, G.R., Wallace, B.A., & Saron, C.D., in press. Response inhibition enhanced by intensive meditation training predicts improved adaptive socio-emotional functioning. Emotion.

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Authors: Jacobs, T. L., Epel, E. S., Lin, J., Blackburn, E. H., Wolkowitz, O. M., Bridwell, D. A., Zanesco, A. P., Aichele, S. R., Sahdra, B. K., MacLean, K. A., King, B. G., Shaver, P. R., Rosenberg, E. L., Ferrer, E., Wallace, B. A., & Saron, C. D.
Affiliations: University of California, Davis (US)
University of California, San Francisco (US)
University of California, Irvine (US)
Johns Hopkins University (US)
University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
University of California Davis Medical Center (US)
ORCID: Epel, Elissa S.
Lin, Jue
Blackburn, Elizabeth H.
Wolkowitz, Owen M.
Bridwell, David A.
Zanesco, Anthony P.
Aichele, Stephen R.
Sahdra, Baljinder K.
King, Brandon G.
Shaver, Phillip R.
Ferrer, Emilio
Wallace, B. Alan
Saron, Clifford D.
Venue: Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2011-06
Volume: 36
Issue: 5
Pages: 664-681
ISSN: 0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.09.010
OpenAlex: W2098489144
Cited by: 432
References: 116
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 39 · 2012: 24
FWCI: 27.34
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
Funders: Mind and Life Institute
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords: meditation retreats, telomerase activity, perceived control, neuroticism, mindfulness, meaning of life, stress, immune cells, telomere length, Buddhist meditation, meditation training, psychological distress, negative affectivity, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, cellular aging, positive psychology interventions, concentrative meditation
MeSH terms: Adult, Aged, Anxiety, Female, Humans, Immune System, Male, Middle Aged, Physical Education and Training, Stress, Psychological, Treatment Outcome, Telomerase, Meditation, Young Adult

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Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators

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