From the Guidelines
The level of evidence for the effect of meditation on the immune system is limited but promising, with some studies suggesting benefits for immune measures, particularly in cancer populations.
Key Findings
- A meta-analysis, three systematic reviews, and one RCT comprising 2,553 patients were reviewed, with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs showing the most empirical evidence in cancer populations 1.
- MBSR has been shown to have benefits for mental health, including reduced anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as improved mood, sleep, and self-rated physical health 1.
- While the evidence for the effect of meditation on the immune system is not yet conclusive, meditation is safe and has been shown to have a positive impact on a broad spectrum of physical and psychologic symptoms and syndromes, including reducing anxiety, pain, and depression; enhancing mood and self-esteem; and decreasing stress 1.
Meditation and Immune System
- The studies reviewed suggest that meditation, particularly MBSR, may have a positive effect on immune measures, although more research is needed to fully understand this relationship 1.
- The mechanisms by which meditation may affect the immune system are not yet fully understood, but may involve the reduction of stress and inflammation, as well as the promotion of relaxation and well-being.
From the Research
Level of Evidence for Meditation's Effect on the Immune System
The current evidence suggests that meditation has a positive impact on the immune system, with various studies demonstrating changes in immune cell counts, inflammatory markers, and antibody responses.
- Meditation has been shown to increase certain immune cell counts, such as natural killer cells and B lymphocytes 2.
- Mindfulness meditation may have a positive effect on specific markers of inflammation, cell-mediated immunity, and biological aging, although these results are tentative and require further replication 3.
- Meditation has been found to decrease cytokine levels and improve inflammatory processes, which can contribute to healthy aging 4.
- A large-scale genomic study revealed robust activation of the immune system following an advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat, with up-regulation of genes associated with immune response and interferon signaling 5.
- A randomized, controlled study found that mindfulness meditation increased antibody titers to influenza vaccine and produced significant increases in left-sided anterior activation, a pattern associated with positive affect 6.
Key Findings
- Meditation can modulate the immune system, leading to changes in immune cell counts and inflammatory markers.
- The effects of meditation on the immune system may be related to its impact on the neuroendocrine axis and stress response.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which meditation affects the immune system and to determine the magnitude of its effects.
- Studies have used various types of meditation, including transcendental meditation, mindfulness meditation, and Inner Engineering meditation, and have found positive effects on the immune system 2, 3, 5, 6.