Aging is increasingly understood not as a fixed biological trajectory, but as a dynamic process shaped by neuroplasticity, inflammation, gene regulation, and stress. Within this framework, meditation has emerged as a low-cost yet biologically influential intervention capable of modulating key mechanisms associated with aging. This paper presents a comprehensive synthesis of current peer-reviewed research examining the effects of meditation on molecular, neurological, cardiovascular, and psychological markers of aging. Evidence indicates that regular meditation is associated with the preservation of telomere length, favorable shifts in gene expression related to immune function and inflammation, and beneficial epigenetic modifications. Neuroimaging findings suggest structural brain preservation and enhanced functional connectivity among long-term practitioners, while physiological outcomes include improved heart rate variability and reduced blood pressure. In parallel, meditation supports emotional regulation, psychological flexibility, and overall well-being, all of which are strongly linked to healthy aging. Beyond measurable biological effects, this work explores meditation as a practice that reshapes the subjective experience of aging itself, reframing it from decline toward sustained coherence, resilience, and presence. Taken together, the findings position meditation as an integrative and scalable strategy with significant implications for longevity research and the promotion of human flourishing across the lifespan.
Noel Daryl Pahimna (Wed,) studied this question.