Scientists have long wondered why meditation has so many positive effects. After having many prejudices, some scientists have shown that one of the benefits of meditation is, for example, to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The novelty is that it has now been discovered that meditation alters the expression of genes involved in multiple beneficial processes for health. Previous studies have documented changes in the brain when people practice meditation, but this is the first time it shows changes in the genetic expression. Second researchers, this may be the main mechanism that could explain the reported beneficial effects of the practice.

THE GENETIC EFFECTS OF MEDITATION

Herbert Benson and his team at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston analyzed the genetic profiles of 26 volunteers - none of whom meditated regularly - before teaching them a relaxation technique that lasted 10 to 20 minutes. The practice included reciting mantras, breathing exercises and attempts to interrupt the flow of the thoughts routine.

After eight weeks of daily meditation, the genetic profile of the volunteers was analyzed again. Groups of important beneficial genes become more active than harmful ones.

Active genes have three main advantages: improving the efficiency of the mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells; increase insulin production, which improves blood sugar control; and prevent the depletion of telomeres from chromosomes that help keep DNA stable and thus prevent cells from degrading - in short, slow aging.

Genes that have become less active were those that are governed by a master gene called NF-kappaB, which triggers chronic inflammation that leads to diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and some cancers Taking blood samples immediately before and after, after performing the technique in a single day, the researchers also showed that the genetic changes occurred in a matter of minutes.

By way of comparison, the researchers also collected samples from 26 volunteers who have practiced relaxation techniques for at least three years.

They had the profiles of the beneficial genes even before the execution of the routines in the laboratory, suggesting that the techniques resulted in long-term changes in their genes. "It seems to make sense that these responses are observed after only 15 to 20 minutes, and, conversely, during short periods of stress stress hormones increase and generate other physiological effects that are harmful in the long term, "said Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, West Virginia University in Morgantown, studying the effects Physiological techniques of meditation.

"We have found that the more practice changes are made in genomic expression," says Benson. He and his team are investigating how gene profiles change and can relieve symptoms in people with high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.