Mind-body retreat triggers rapid brain and blood changes
A one-week mind-body retreat triggered systematic brain and molecular changes linked to resilience, pain relief, and stress recovery.
Why it matters
- The study shows that intensive mind-body practices can produce rapid and wide-ranging biological changes.
- It provides insights into how psychological practices can enhance physical health.
By the numbers
- 20 healthy adults participated in a 7-day retreat.
- Approximately 33 hours of guided meditation were included in the retreat.
- Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30) scores increased from 2.37 to 3.02 after the retreat.
The big picture
- The study suggests that mind-body practices can trigger changes similar to those seen with psychedelic substances.
- These practices could be beneficial for chronic pain management, mood disorders, and immune-related conditions.
What they're saying
- Some commenters are skeptical, calling it pseudoscience and pointing out potential biases.
- Others note similar effects from religious practices and personal benefits from meditation.
Caveats
- The study was conducted on healthy adults, not on patient populations.
- One co-author is employed by the company offering the retreat, which could introduce bias.
- The study was part of a research initiative supported by the InnerScience Research Fund.
What’s next
- Future studies will investigate the duration of these biological changes and whether repeated interventions can enhance or sustain their effects.
- Controlled trials in patient populations are needed to determine specific clinical benefits and applications.