Cited by 324Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsTelomeres, Telomerase, and SenescenceStress Responses and Cortisol

Can Meditation Slow Rate of Cellular Aging? Cognitive Stress, Mindfulness, and Telomeres

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Epel, Elissa, Daubenmier, Jennifer, Moskowitz, Judith Tedlie, Folkman, Susan, Blackburn, Elizabeth·2009·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Understanding the malleable determinants of cellular aging is critical to understanding human longevity. Telomeres may provide a pathway for exploring this question. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. The length of telomeres offers insight into mitotic cell and possibly organismal longevity. Telomere length has now been linked to chronic stress exposure and depression. This raises the question of mechanism: How might cellular aging be modulated by psychological functioning? We consider two psychological processes or states that are in opposition to one another–threat cognition and mindfulness–and their effects on cellular aging. Psychological stress cognitions, particularly appraisals of threat and ruminative thoughts, can lead to prolonged states of reactivity. In contrast, mindfulness meditation techniques appear to shift cognitive appraisals from threat to challenge, decrease ruminative thought, and reduce stress arousal. Mindfulness may also directly increase positive arousal states. We review data linking telomere length to cognitive stress and stress arousal and present new data linking cognitive appraisal to telomere length. Given the pattern of associations revealed so far, we propose that some forms of meditation may have salutary effects on telomere length by reducing cognitive stress and stress arousal and increasing positive states of mind and hormonal factors that may promote telomere maintenance. Aspects of this model are currently being tested in ongoing trials of mindfulness meditation.

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  • Mindfulness interventions may protect against cellular aging.

    “In addition, mindfulness interventions may protect against age-related decreases in gray matter volume280, attention performance281, and cellular aging282.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. [21]Epel ES Blackburn EH Lin J Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 7 Dec 2004 101 49 17312 17315 15574496 PMC534658
  2. [24]Epel ES Telomeres: A new ‘psychobiomarker’ for a lifespan approach? Current Directions in Psychology 2008 in press
  3. [37]Bower J Low C Moskowitz J Sepah S Epel E Pathways from benefit finding to physical health: Enhanced psychological and physiological responses to stress Social and Personality Psychology Compass 2008 in press
  4. [49]Epel E Burke H Wolkowitz O Aldwin C Spiro A Park C Psychoneuroendocrinology of Aging: Focus on anabolic and catabolic hormones Handbook of Health Psychology of Aging 2007 119 141 Guildford Press
  5. [77]Rosch E More than mindfulness: When you have a tiger by the tail, let it eat you 2007 Taylor & Francis United Kingdom
  6. [83]Shapiro SL Carlson LE Astin JA Freedman B Mechanisms of mindfulness J Clin Psychol Mar 2006 62 3 373 386 16385481
  7. [107]Brown KW Ryan RM The benefits of being present: mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being J Pers Soc Psychol Apr 2003 84 4 822 848 12703651
  8. [144]Epel ES Lin J Wilhelm FH Cell aging in relation to stress arousal and cardiovascular disease risk factors Psychoneuroendocrinology Apr 2006 31 3 277 287 16298085

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Authors
Epel, E., Daubenmier, J., Moskowitz, J. T., Folkman, S., & Blackburn, E.
Affiliations
University of California, San Francisco (US)
Corresponding author
Epel, Elissa
Venue
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2009-08
Volume
1172
Issue
1
Pages
34-53
ISSN
  • 0077-8923 (ISSN-L)
  • 1749-6632
OpenAlex
W2125332477
Cited by
324
References
149
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 21
FWCI
2.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (R56AG030424)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (K08MH064110)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
cellular aging, telomere length, mindfulness meditation, cognitive stress, threat appraisal, ruminative thoughts, stress arousal, longevity, positive affect, telomere maintenance, chronic stress, depression
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Cognition, Humans, Stress, Psychological, Telomere, Cellular Senescence, Meditation

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