Our body's immune system is one of the most important centers of our physical wellness and our defense system. It is precisely designed to distinguish between harmful unwanted pathogens and healthy cells and tissue(Fan, Tang, et al., 2010). It is so wise that the immunity has even been called to our "floating brain." It can communicate with the brain through chemical messages that float around inside our bodies. That means that if our immune system is weakened, perhaps due to stress or anxiety, the whole-body system won't operate as usual.
1.Mindfulness Meditation improves the immune system
David S. Black, professor at the Department of the Preventive Medicine University of Southern California, found initial evidence that mindfulness Meditation modulates some select immune parameters across 20 RCTs and more than 1600 participants. Specifically, Mindfulness Meditation appears to be related with reductions in pro-inflammatory processes, increasing defense parameters, and enzyme activity that guards against cell aging(Black and Slavich 2016). In reviewing the research, Professor Black found that mindfulness Meditation
can reduce markers of inflammation.
Increasing the number of CD-4 cells, which are the immune system's helper cells, could involve submitting messages to other cells telling them to destroy infections.
Aging and telomerase cell activity: Mindfulness Meditation help promote the stability of chromosomes and prevent their deterioration, which leads to cancer and premature aging.
These results are promising and potentially pave the way for using mindfulness-based techniques to boost the immune system, enhancing our defense against Covid-19 infection and disease.
The additional study suggested that the mindfulness Meditation treatment effects on CD4+ T lymphocytes are independent of ARV treatment status. These data showed the possibility that mindfulness Meditation training may directly affect CD4+ T lymphocyte distributions (e.g., via effects on hematopoiesis, T-cell redistribution dynamics, or T-cell turnover in lymphoid tissues) (Creswell, Myers, et al. 2009). These results indicate that Mindfulness Meditation produces a change in the basal immune system and more significant acute effects as the dose of training increases(Fan, Tang, et al., 2010).
2. Train Your Brain and Mind
The ANS is the neuro system that controls our internal organs and regulates body functions like digestion, blood flow, and pupil dilation. The central nervous system regulates the innate immune system by elaborating anti-inflammatory hormone cascades in response to bacterial products and immune mediators. It is widely known that the central nervous system (CNS) modulates the fight-or-flight response. For example, the sight of a charging lion stimulates adrenergic responses that increase cardiac output, mobilize energy supplies, and support other protective mechanisms necessary for survival. Recent evidence supports a comparable paradigm for the role of the CNS in modulating the response to microbial invasion(Tracey, Czura, et al. 2001).
3. Possible Mechanisms of Increased Immunity
Richard Davidson, an esteemed professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also investigated whether Mindfulness Meditation could alter the immune system. In his research, people were either part of a group receiving mindfulness training or a control group. After eight weeks, the mindfulness group showed more excellent antibodies to respond to and prevent potential illness. It's trying to get carried away by the research implications suggesting that mindfulness can help improve immune functioning. (Davidson, Kabat-Zinn et al. 2003).
4.Decreased Stress: Research has confirmed that our mind impacts the immune system via chemical messages from the brain. So negative thinking styles and certain emotional states can hurt our immune system. But practice is helpful in decreased stress, decreased rumination, and increased ability to deal with difficult emotions.
5.Targeted Brain/Immune System Connection: More specifically, research indicates that mindfulness meditation increases activity in the prefrontal cortex and the brain, which act as our immune system's center. When our brains are stimulated through mindfulness, the immune system functions are more effective .
6.Activate the Second Brain: Mindfulness can boost immunity via the gut microbiota, which are critical players in developing and maintaining the immune system.
Researches have shown that stress tips our microbial balance, putting us at risk for dysbiosis, protecting us from one of our crucial defenses against infectious disease. Mindfulness Meditation impacts our immune system by helping to maintain healthy gut microbiota diversity that is often upset by stress.
No matter the exact mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation, there is a lot of evidence that practicing mindfulness meditation can help boost our defense against disease and fosters wellness. We want to promote the addition of a new wellness adage: "Mindfulness Meditation each day keeps the doctor away."
