New Long-Term Study Suggests It Might
For decades, people who practice Transcendental Meditation (TM) have reported feeling calmer, sleeping better, and handling stress with more grace. But what if those 20 minutes of stillness could do more than soothe the mind — what if they could actually slow the biological clock?
A new peer-reviewed study published in Biomolecules and summarized by News-Medical suggests just that. Researchers found that long-term TM practitioners — those who’ve been meditating for 12 to 40 years — show measurable signs of younger biology compared with non-meditators.
Their stress hormones were lower. Their brains functioned more efficiently. And even their genes behaved as though they belonged to younger, healthier people.
Inside the Study
The study was led by Supaya Wenuganen, Kenneth Walton, and Dr. Frederick Travis at Maharishi International University (MIU) in Fairfield, Iowa — a research hub long associated with mind-body science. 
Participants ranged from middle-aged adults to seniors. Half had practiced TM daily for decades, while the others had never meditated. Researchers analyzed:
- Hair cortisol and cortisone levels, which reflect long-term stress exposure.
- Gene-expression patterns linked to inflammation and aging.
- Brain-wave coherence and reaction time through EEG (electroencephalography).
The results were striking: TM practitioners consistently showed younger biological signatures across multiple systems of the body.
What the Data Revealed
Cortisol — often called the stress hormone — was significantly lower among meditators. Their cortisol-to-cortisone ratios were healthier, suggesting smoother stress metabolism.
At the molecular level, meditators had reduced expression of SOCS3, a gene tied to chronic inflammation and age-related decline. Lower activation of this gene is associated with stronger immunity and slower biological wear and tear.
“This study provides evidence that long-term practice of TM technologies has a broad range of health benefits at the molecular level” said lead author Supaya Wenuganen.
Co-author Kenneth Walton added:
“The lower expression of age-related genes and lower hair cortisol in the TM groups extend the findings of short-term studies indicating these practices lead to healthy aging and more resilient adaptation to stress.”
Younger Brains, Too
The brain data was equally compelling. EEG readings revealed that long-term TM practitioners had higher frontal coherence — a sign of more synchronized, efficient brain function. They also reacted faster to cognitive tasks and maintained attention longer than age-matched controls.
Dr. Frederick Travis, who has studied meditation and neuroplasticity for decades, explained:
“Older meditators performed on par with young controls. This suggests a protective effect against cognitive decline with age.”
That means the aging brain may not be destined for inevitable decline — it might simply need more moments of deep rest.
The Anti-Stress Effect
Stress is one of the biggest accelerators of aging. High cortisol levels damage cells, disrupt sleep, and increase inflammation — all of which speed up the biological clock.
TM, on the other hand, activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, bringing a deep state of rest while keeping the mind alert. Over time, this helps reset stress patterns at the hormonal and genetic levels.
More than 400 scientific studies have documented TM’s benefits for heart health, anxiety, and blood pressure. What makes this study unique is that it connects those short-term benefits to long-term biological resilience.
A Meditation for Modern Life
Transcendental Meditation is remarkably simple. You sit comfortably, close your eyes, and silently repeat a personalized mantra for about twenty minutes twice a day. No concentration, no control — just natural quiet.
It’s this ease that makes TM one of the most accessible and sustainable meditation techniques. As Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM program, once said: “Water the root, and enjoy the fruit.” In other words, nurture the source — your mind — and the benefits will naturally ripple through your life.
If you’re curious how to begin, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Daily Meditation Practice.
Beyond Stress Relief — Toward Regeneration
What this research suggests is revolutionary: that meditation may not only reduce stress but also actively support regeneration. Lower inflammation, balanced hormones, and coherent brain function could all contribute to a longer healthspan — the number of years you live in good health.
As we continue to learn more, one thing is clear: TM isn’t just mental wellness — it’s cellular wellness.
So next time you sit for your twenty minutes of quiet, remember — you might not just be calming your mind. You might be rejuvenating your biology, one breath at a time.
