Reduce Inflammation by Using Your Mind

Inflammation is a risk factor for all chronic diseases. Anything you can do to reduce inflammation will be beneficial to your health. This reviewed research investigated if meditation could help reduce inflammation (Rozenkranz MA, et.al.,2013).

A stress test was used to induce psychological stress. Inflammation was produced using a topical application of capsaicin cream to the forearm skin. Data was collected on cortisol (a stress hormone) and also on inflammation before and after the experiment. The study lasted eight weeks. One group of the participants were in a meditation group and the other group participated in a health enhancement program.

The results showed that both groups had comparable cortisol responses and equivalent reductions in self reported in psychological distress and physical symptoms. The interesting part was the meditation group having a significantly smaller post-stress inflammatory response.

Rosenkranz MA, Davidson RJ, Maccoon DG, Sheridan JF, Kalin NH, Lutz A. A comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction and an active control in modulation of neurogenic inflammation. Brain Behav Immun. 2013 Jan;27(1):174-84. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.10.013. Epub 2012 Oct 22.