A 3-month randomized trial with 100 healthy adults aged 18-24 found that practicing Heartfulness meditation significantly reduced cortisol levels and anxiety, while increasing well-being and mindfulness as measured by standard questionnaires. Perceived stress decreased but not significantly. Telomere length correlated negatively with cortisol and positively with well-being, suggesting meditation may slow cellular aging. The authors conclude Heartfulness meditation can improve mental health and affect telomere length, though larger studies are needed to confirm.
A 12-week randomized controlled trial tested Heartfulness meditation against sham meditation in 100 young adults aged 18–24 with moderate to high perceived stress. The meditation group showed significant increases in serum nitrate/nitrite levels, professional efficacy, and well-being, alongside significant decreases in exhaustion, cynicism, and serum cortisol compared to the control group. A negative correlation appeared between serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and well-being, while MDA and cortisol were positively correlated. The findings suggest Heartfulness meditation reduces stress and burnout and improves well-being, though larger studies are needed to confirm.