Meditation May Fight COVID and Chronic Diseases, Is Not Just an Alternative Medicine: Expert

The Epoch Times

Scientists are increasingly interested in the medicinal benefits of meditation. Hemal Patel, who has a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology and is a professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, has recently secured a $10 million funding commitment from the InnerScience Research Fund to study how meditation may impede the progression of serious terminal and chronic illnesses.

During an interview with Dan Skorbach from EpochTV’s “Frontline Health” program, Patel emphasized the goal of integrating meditation into conventional medicine rather than treating it as merely an alternative approach.

Patel and his team have made several discoveries regarding the benefits of meditation for physical and mental well-being. They found that meditation can induce changes in people’s metabolites within just seven days, reduce the infectivity of COVID-19, and potentially treat various chronic diseases in clinical settings.

First Transformative Session

A few years ago, Patel’s former colleague, now managing pain clinics, explored alternative approaches to pain management amidst the opioid epidemic. This led him to discover the remarkable potential of meditation.

He later attended one of Joe Dispenza’s retreats and was utterly amazed. Dispenza, a chiropractor and clinical researcher specializing in mind-body medicine, has built a thriving community dedicated to uncovering the healing power of meditation and the mind.

In April 2021, Patel reluctantly joined his first week-long meditation session. Despite hearing about its transformative effects and coming across intriguing data, the idea that 35 hours of closing his eyes and 25 hours of lectures could truly change him seemed foreign.

During that initial week-long experience, he encountered a flood of repressed emotions that had accumulated over the years. This discovery made him realize that he had indeed become a different individual.

Another aspect that piqued his research interest is the physiological changes and adaptations that occur within a person. He noticed that he had become less reactive by the end of the week. He could step back from situations without trying to control them or dictate their outcomes. Instead, he allowed events to unfold naturally.

This newfound state lasted about three to four months. Then he gradually reverted to his old self. It became apparent that evolving one’s mind, body, thoughts, and behaviors is an ongoing journey, as it requires constant work and continuous reflection.

Changes in Brain, Blood, and Microbiome

Dispenza’s community gathers in a location where they follow synchronized sleep-wake cycles and share meals. This setting is difficult to replicate in an academic environment.

Functional MRI data reveal distinct brain activation patterns during these retreats, according to Patel. Significant changes in blood factors surpass the effects of brief periods of eye closure. “There’s something unique about when a mind and a person goes into this really deep, contemplative state, where they have these mystical experiences,” Patel said. He believes they represent the forefront of meditative research, exploring deep realms of human potential, reshaping neural circuitry, and influencing the body’s dynamics.

His team’s data show significant changes in microbiome, metabolites, and blood’s potential to impact disease processes within only seven days of intensive workshops.

Meditation Can Help Fight COVID-19

Patel and his team are nearing completion of a publication focused on the effects of meditation, including factors that may enhance or potentially reduce the infectivity of COVID-19.

To investigate the impact of meditation on COVID-19 infectivity, Patel has developed a pseudo-virus that mimics the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This pseudo-virus features spike proteins on its cell surface, similar to the actual coronavirus, and contains red fluorescent protein (RFP) inside the cell. Given the crucial role of spike proteins in the pathogenesis and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, the infectivity of this pseudo-virus accurately reflects that of the actual virus.

During the initial experiment, three groups were exposed to the pseudo-virus. These groups consisted of a control group, which comprised the spouses of the meditators who did not practice meditation but enjoyed the recreational facilities of the retreat; a novice group, consisting of individuals new to meditation; and an experienced meditator group.

Patel compared the levels of RFP in the plasma samples of the three groups before and after meditation. The presence of RFP indicated the extent of infection by the pseudo-virus. In the case of the control group, who did not engage in meditation, “post-meditation” refers to their relaxation period at the retreat.

Plasma showing red fluorescent protein. (Courtesy of Hemal Patel)

The control group’s plasma showed a minimal reduction in RFP after relaxation. In contrast, the plasma of the novice group exhibited a noticeable decrease in RFP levels, and the experienced group displayed the most significant reduction. This suggests that the post-meditation plasmas of the meditators were more effective in preventing the invasion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus following exposure. Therefore, meditation can reduce the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ infectivity.

Meditation can improve physical health and immunity, which can help in fighting viral infections, including COVID-19. A large-scale study suggested meditation’s positive impact on pathways related to reducing oxidative stress, promoting detoxification, and regulating cell cycles. Furthermore, the study indicated that meditation can support mental health and help cope with pandemic-related anxiety, fear, and grief.

Meditation May Help Treat Cancer

Patel’s lab has been studying cancer biology, focusing on protein roles, cell migration, and how cancer cells generate and use energy.

In 2022, his team conducted two studies involving 1,800 subjects with over 60 diseases, including depression, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. By understanding common features activated by meditation across diseases, they tailor meditative experiences for specific processes and diseases.

In a Canadian study, 88 breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to three groups: meditation, supportive therapy, and no intervention. The meditation group attended eight 90-minute weekly sessions, while the therapy group had 12 sessions.

Participants in the meditation and therapy groups maintained telomere lengths, potentially indicating extended lifespan compared to the nonintervention group. As telomere length, the length of repetitive DNA sequences at the end of a chromosome, has been linked to lifespan, this suggests potential lifespan extension through meditation and support therapy for cancer survivors.

Other Ongoing Research Projects

A Meditation Study Reveals Intriguing Synchronicities

Patel and his team are researching intense emotional and meditative experiences in twin sets, both when the twins are together and when they are separated.

Surprisingly, the team has discovered unexpected synchronicities in the twin sets’ responses. The researchers aim to investigate the interconnections between physiology, genetics, and behavior in these twin pairs. Their studies complement each other, as they have also begun considering unique pairings while conducting the twin study.

A Study That May Find Ways to Reverse Aging

Patel’s lab is deeply interested in aging biology. He and his team are currently conducting a pilot study called the “Pair Study," pairing individuals aged 65 or older with someone aged 30 or younger.

This study explores the impact of day-long interactions, shared activities like meditation, meals, and lectures, on the older participant. Is there a change in the biological principles and factors within this older person? Is there a connection that can potentially result in a more youthful biological state for the older person?

This idea is inspired by observations from blue zones such as Loma Linda, near San Diego, where individuals live really, really long lives. And one of the things Patel’s team has noticed is that what builds this longevity in life is one’s ability to form socially connected networks of individuals.

By connecting seniors with a partner several decades younger, the team is investigating the potential for altering aging dynamics while considering molecular, biochemical, and physiological aspects.

Meditation May Have Similar Effects as Medicine

Patel says he thinks meditation has the potential to be used in a clinical setting.

Recent studies have compared the effects of meditative mindfulness practices to medications like the antidepressant escitalopram oxalate (brand name Lexapro), revealing similar results. These studies highlight a 30 percent improvement, albeit with different timing windows (e.g., a daily pill intake versus an eight-week meditation training protocol).

Patel and his team’s aim in publishing such studies is to promote the integration of meditation as a regular practice rather than just alternative medicine. The idea is to use all available tools, including meditation, to combat chronic diseases and improve mental well-being by reducing stress.

By combining these approaches, they can potentially witness significant changes in human disease treatment. With evidence to support these findings, the team hopes that clinical groups will embrace meditation as part of routine medicine and incorporate its elements into their practice.

Not Every Meditation Practice Is Effective

Patel thinks that different individuals resonate with different practices. He said, “You can have this desire to change yourself through meditation. However, if it’s an empty desire, and you’re just doing this from a superficial perspective, you’re not going to achieve what you want.”

He added, “The other aspect is to find a practice that resonates with you and that works with your body, your mindset. And you must be willing to put time and effort into it.”