Researchers from Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have found that advanced yogic meditation can reverse brain aging by an average of 5.9 years. The study focused on individuals who participated in Samyama Sadhana, an intensive meditation retreat designed by Sadhguru and offered through the Isha Foundation. Using sleep-based EEG scans, the researchers discovered that these advanced meditators had brain ages significantly younger than their chronological age.
Speaking about the study in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Sadhguru shared, “It is wonderful that modern science is able to identify and measure the impact of the subjective sciences on the human mechanism. Enhancing the exuberance & vibrancy of the human mechanism will naturally slow the aging process & cognitive decline. Every human being must invest in their own mental & physical wellbeing. We owe this to ourselves, to the people around us and to coming generations.”
It is wonderful that modern science is able to identify and measure the impact of the subjective sciences on the human mechanism. Enhancing the exuberance & vibrancy of the human mechanism will naturally slow the aging process & cognitive decline. Every human being must invest in… https://t.co/lEDlPMImcc pic.twitter.com/8ynup9ZGuJ
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) May 18, 2025
Key findings of the study showed that advanced meditators had brains that looked 5.9 years younger than their actual age, indicating slower or even reversed brain aging. Their sleep quality improved with deeper and more refreshing sleep that helps the brain stay healthy. These meditators had sharper memory, clearer thinking, and felt less stress and loneliness compared to others their age who didn’t meditate. Overall, the results suggest that meditation might help protect the brain from aging and reduce the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Dr. Balachundhar Subramaniam, co-senior author of the study, also expressed his excitement on the findings of the study which were published in the journal Mindfulness. He said, “This study offers compelling evidence that deep yogic practices like Samyama and even its preparation with Shakti Chalana Kriya help preserve the brain’s youthfulness. It is inspiring to see ancient practices stand up to scientific scrutiny. We still have much to explore, but this is a promising step toward integrating the best of East and West for long-term brain health.”
The study leveraged sleep EEG data, a cutting-edge and non-invasive method of estimating brain age, to objectively evaluate the long-term effects of meditation on neurological health. Researchers used EEG headbands to track brain activity during sleep, measuring Brain Age Index (BAI), a validated biomarker linked to cognitive decline, dementia risk, and overall brain health. The BAI helps to understand how old or young your brain is, based on its electrical activity. The meditators’ BAI was consistently younger than that of non-meditators.
The meditators in this study had previously attended the 8-day Samyama program and underwent a strict 40-day preparatory process, including a vegan diet and daily yogic practices like Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, Shakti Chalana Kriya, Yogasanas, Shoonya meditation, and Sukha Kriya. The Samyama Sadhana retreat is a highly advanced 4-day silence program requiring years of committed practice and internal discipline. Previous studies on the Samyama program have linked it to improved immune response, reduced inflammation, better metabolic health, and enhanced mental well-being.
