Focusing on the present rather than letting the
mind drift may help to lower levels of the stress
hormone cortisol, according to new research from
the Shamatha Project at the University of
California, Davis.
The ability to focus mental resources on immediate
experience is an aspect of mindfulness, which can
be improved by meditation training.
“This is the first study to show a direct relation
between resting cortisol and scores on any type of
mindfulness scale,” said Tonya Jacobs, a
postdoctoral researcher at the UC Davis Center for
Mind and Brain and first author of a paper
describing the work, published this week in the
journal Health Psychology.
High levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the
adrenal gland, are associated with physical or
emotional stress. Prolonged release of the hormone
contributes to wide-ranging, adverse effects on a
number of physiological systems.
The new findings are the latest to come from the
Shamatha Project, a comprehensive long-term,
control-group study of the effects of meditation
training on mind and body.
Led by Clifford Saron, associate research
scientist at the UC Davis Center for Mind and
Brain, the Shamatha Project has drawn the
attention of both scientists and Buddhist scholars
including the Dalai Lama, who has endorsed the
project.
In the new study, Jacobs, Saron and their
colleagues used a questionnaire to measure aspects
of mindfulness among a group of volunteers before
and after an intensive, three-month meditation
retreat. They also measured cortisol levels in the
volunteers’ saliva.
During the retreat, Buddhist scholar and teacher
B. Alan Wallace of the Santa Barbara Institute for
Consciousness Studies trained participants in such
skills as mindfulness of breathing, observing
mental events, and observing the nature of
consciousness. Participants also practiced
cultivating benevolent mental states, including
loving kindness, compassion, empathic joy and
equanimity.
At an individual level, there was a correlation
between a high score for mindfulness and a low
score in cortisol both before and after the
retreat. Individuals whose mindfulness score
increased after the retreat showed a decrease in
cortisol.
“The more a person reported directing their
cognitive resources to immediate sensory
experience and the task at hand, the lower their
resting cortisol.
If you didn’t know it cortisol is a steroid
hormone, produced by the zona fasciculata of the
adrenal cortex. It is released in response to
stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids.
Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar
through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune
system; and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate
metabolism. It also decreases bone formation.
If there is too much cortisol in the body you will
never lose weight– the kind that shows up as
belly fat and when you are stressed you produce
even more of it. That’s why meditation is so good
for you. It calms things down and helps reduce
your stress levels.
In the program “Turn Stress Into Power”
http://www.rechargingqigong.com/recharging-qi-gong.html
I spell out exact exercises and meditations to
keep you stress free.
Order yours today. In fact, if you want to receive
all my programs absolutely FREE I’ll send you
everything if you join my private coaching program
http://rechargingqigong.com/private-coaching.html
Check it out now!
I wish you the best in your Health, Wealth and
Happiness!
Dr. Wu Dhi
PS Every Wednesday evening I teach a meditation class
to my patients and students as part of their on
going treatment for wellness and longevity.
if you are in southern Florida call 305-407-0120
and join us.
