Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the mood benefits of meditation: A narrative review

This narrative review explores the mechanisms through which meditation improves mood and reduces stress. Meditation impacts psychological processes like self-compassion, reduced rumination, and enhanced attention. Physiologically, it reduces cortisol levels and inflammation markers and influences brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, improving emotional regulation and cognitive function. These findings highlight meditation as a tool for enhancing mental health, reducing stress, and supporting brain resilience by modifying neurobiological and psychological stress responses.

Integrate meditation into daily life to enhance mood and resilience against stress. Practices like mindfulness or loving-kindness meditation improve self-compassion and reduce negative thinking. Aim for 20–30 minutes daily to support emotional regulation and cognitive health. While robust in its findings, the review notes variability in meditation types and responses, suggesting individuals may need to tailor practices to their needs for optimal benefits.