ISBN：978-988-363

Volume 4 ¦ Issue 24 ¦ @copyright 2021

Journal of Chinese Buddist Medicine Cultural

Using Mindfulness Meditation to make your

immunity boost
Haisheng Zhang [1-2], Yu-Ling (Irene) Hsiao [1], Chengxu Guo [3]
Xiaorong Zhao [4], Miranda M.Y. Fung [5]

1
University of East-West Medicine Integrative Health Medicine College
2. Lam Family College of Business, San Francisco State University;
3. Beijing Shengyuantang Institute of TCM;
4. Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine
5.Department of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,
Beijing, China

Abstract:

There is many research conveying Mindfulness Meditation's positive

impact upon the immune system and well-being. Beyond the many

practitioners' experiences, there is increasing evidence that

mindfulness Meditation impacts our immune system. A vast

literature of controlled studies has found that mindfulness meditation

is related to improved immunity across reduced markers of

inflammation, Increased number of CD-4 cells, slow aging by

Increased telomerase cell activity.

Keyword: Mindfulness Meditation, Immunity, Train mind

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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.

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• 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

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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

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suggesting that mindfulness can help improve immune functioning.

(Davidson, Kabat-Zinn et al. 2003).

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

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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."

Reference

Train Your Brain to Boost Your Immune System - Mindful.

https://www.mindful.org/train-brain-boost-immune-system/

Black, D. S. and G. M. Slavich (2016). "Mindfulness Meditation and

the immune system: a systematic review of randomized controlled

trials." Ann N Y Acad Sci 1373(1): 13-24.

Mindfulness - Cancer Ireland. https://cancerireland.ie/mindfulness/

Creswell, J. D., et al. (2009). "Mindfulness Meditation training

effects on CD4+ T lymphocytes in HIV-1 infected adults: A small

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randomized controlled trial." Brain, behavior, and immunity 23(2):

184-188.

Davidson, R. J., et al. (2003). "Alterations in brain and immune

function produced by mindfulness meditation." Psychosom Med

65(4): 564-570.

Fan, Y., et al. (2010). "Mucosal immunity modulated by integrative

Mindfulness Meditation in a dose-dependent fashion." J Altern

Complement Med 16(2): 151-155.

Tracey, K. J., et al. (2001). "Mind over immunity." The FASEB

Journal 15(9): 1575-1576.

First author: Haisheng Zhang, Dean of University of East-West

Medicine Integrative Health Medicine College, research direction:

acupuncture and Tuina, Mind-Body Medicine, Postdoctoral of Lam

Family College of Business, San Francisco State University. M:

16692529974, Email: haisheng@uewm.edu

Co-first author: Yu-Ling Hsiao, Research Assistant of University of

East-West Medicine Integrative Health Medicine College, MS in

Data Analytics, M: 408-430-7757, Email: yhsiao16@asu.edu

 ISBN：978-988-363
Chengxu Guo: Bachelor degree of Chinese language and

literature, Beijing Shengyuantang Institute of TCM;

Email: gcx2357540320@163.com

Dr. Xiaorong Zhao: Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine. Contact

number: 18787098606, Email: zxr52@126.com

Corresponding author: Dr. Feng Meiying female (China Hong

Kong).

Doctor of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Traditional

Chinese Medicine ( Department of Chinese Medicine ) Diploma

in Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of

Sciences Hong Kong Registered Chinese Physician; Traditional

Chinese medicine guqin phonologist; Music Psychologist

Member of the International Society of Music and Medicine,

Vice President of Sino-Chinese Heart and Body Medicine, Chairman

of Beijing Jianle Sound Health Technology Co., Ltd; President of the

International Guqin Health Society

www.ighca.com