“Meditation increases telomere length”

## The Evidence A 2018 meta-analysis by Conklin et al. (*Psychoneuroendocrinology*) reviewed 8 studies on meditation and telomere length/telomerase activity. Most showed positive associations, but studies were heterogeneous, mostly small (20–80 participants), and used varied meditation protocols (MBSR, loving-kindness, mindfulness). The most frequently cited work comes from Elissa Epel and Elizabeth Blackburn's group, who found that perceived stress and stress reactivity predict telomere attrition, and that stress-reduction interventions (including meditation) attenuate this. The mechanism is likely via cortisol reduction and improved autonomic regulation rather than meditation per se. ## The Confounding Issue Meditators tend to have healthier overall lifestyles: better sleep, less substance use, more exercise, stronger social connections. Isolating meditation's specific effect on telomeres is methodologically challenging. ## Bottom Line Meditation's evidence base for reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure is much stronger than its evidence for telomere effects specifically. Practice meditation for its well-established mental health and physiological benefits; the telomere link is plausible but not proven.