A collaborative research effort led by scientists from Maharishi International University (MIU), the University of Siegen, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences has found that long-term practitioners of Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) display biological indicators suggestive of reduced stress and a slower ageing process. The study evaluated several physiological and neurological markers by drawing upon data from individuals who had practised TM for either 12 or 40 years and comparing them with non-meditating controls. These included gene expression profiles, electroencephalogram (EEG) readings of cognitive function, and levels of stress-related hormones such as cortisol and cortisone found in hair samples.
Supaya Wenuganen of MIU, one of the lead authors, explained that the research supports the broad-ranging health benefits of sustained TM practice. “Our study shows that long-term engagement with TM technologies may influence health at the molecular level,” Wenuganen said. “We observed meaningful differences in gene expression, brainwave activity, and stress hormone levels that collectively point to reduced biological stress and a slowing of age-related physiological decline.” The findings have been published in a special issue of Biomolecules, titled Possible Anti-Aging and Anti-Stress Effects of Long-Term Transcendental Meditation Practice: Differences in Gene Expression, EEG Correlates of Cognitive Function, and Hair Steroids.
Among the most striking observations were changes in gene expression associated with ageing and inflammation. One such gene, SOCS3—known for its role in chronic stress regulation and energy metabolism—showed reduced expression in TM practitioners. This reduction may indicate a lower “allostatic load,” referring to the cumulative physical toll that long-term stress places on the body. Kenneth Walton, senior researcher at MIU and co-author of the study, remarked, “Lower levels of age-related gene expression and diminished cortisol in long-term TM practitioners suggest that these individuals may be ageing more slowly and adapting to stress more effectively than those who do not meditate.”
The study also investigated age-related changes in brain function using EEG recordings. In particular, researchers measured N2 and P3 latency—electrical signals in the brain corresponding to attention and cognitive processing speed. Typically, these responses become slower with age. However, older TM practitioners demonstrated response times that closely matched those of much younger participants. Moreover, they scored higher on the Brain Integration Scale (BIS), which evaluates reaction time, brainwave coherence, and attentional focus. Co-author Frederick Travis said, “Older meditators showed the same cognitive agility as young controls, reinforcing the idea that TM practice may preserve brain function as we age.”
Hormonal analysis further supported the idea of reduced chronic stress in long-term meditators. The study assessed cortisol levels (the active stress hormone) and cortisone (inactive form) in hair samples, revealing that TM practitioners had a lower cortisol-to-cortisone ratio. This is significant, as sustained high levels of cortisol are linked to cognitive decline and numerous age-related illnesses. Walton elaborated, “The reduced ratio suggests a stronger adaptive reserve in meditators—an ability to return to baseline after stress more efficiently. This kind of resilience is a key component of healthy ageing and long-term well-being.”
This research builds upon previous findings from MIU and related institutions, which have long documented TM’s mental and physical health benefits, including improved cardiovascular outcomes and enhanced psychological resilience. By exploring a diverse set of biological and neurological metrics, the present study offers a comprehensive look at how meditation might act as a preventive health strategy. The authors intend to investigate the cellular and metabolic mechanisms underpinning these effects, particularly those involved in inflammation regulation and mitochondrial function. As meditation continues to gain acceptance within both clinical and wellness settings, this study offers compelling evidence for its potential as a low-cost, non-invasive tool for supporting longevity and reducing the impact of chronic stress on the human body.
More information: Kenneth Walton et al, Possible Anti-Aging and Anti-Stress Effects of Long-Term Transcendental Meditation Practice: Differences in Gene Expression, EEG Correlates of Cognitive Function, and Hair Steroids, Biomolecules. DOI: 10.3390/biom15030317
Journal information: Biomolecules Provided by Maharishi International University
