It is already known that mental health affects the physical. For this reason, it is very important to take care of the first one and maintain peace through exercises so that it has positive effects in the body.
A study published in the journal General Psychiatry reports that deep meditation can help regulate the gut microbiome and thus reduce the risks of physical and mental illnesses.
Gut microbes found in a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks appear to have great differences with those of their secular neighbors and were associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety.
The gut microbiome can affect the mood and to behavior through the so-called gut-brain axis, which oversees multiple crucial bodily functions. This includes the body’s immune response, hormonal signaling, and the stress response.
The researchers therefore emphasize the importance of meditation as a tool to treat mental health disorders such as depressions, anxiety, substance abuse, traumatic stress and eating disorders. Similarly, they believe that it can be beneficial for the treatment of chronic pain.
It should be noted, however, that the study is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and has concluded that Tibetan Buddhist meditation originates from the ancient Indian medical system known as ayurveda, a form of psychological training. So they analyzed blood and stool samples from 37 monks from three different temples and compared them with those of 19 secular residents from neighboring areas.
The scientists pointed out that research on meditation is still needed and that it is “difficult to draw firm conclusions” based on the small number of participants, who live at high altitudes.
