Front Hum Neurosci June 2017 PMID 28694775

Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat.

B Rael Cahn, Matthew S Goodman, Christine T Peterson, Raj Maturi, Paul J Mills

Mentions

105
Peak: 4 in Jul 2022
across 6 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

234,158
potential audience

Total likes

126

Video views

4,065

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News58 articles
  • X / Twitter19 posts
  • Facebook11 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Reddit4 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group generally agrees with the study’s implications about yoga and meditation benefiting mental and physical health, supported by language emphasizing 'increased BDNF' and 'stress resilience'. Some comments, like calling the study 'click bait' or questioning its credibility, show a mix of skepticism and curiosity, reflecting moderate interest and engagement that appreciate the relevance but challenge the impact or significance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the positive findings of the study, with some skeptics questioning or demeaning it, indicating overall mild agreement.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, referencing specific biological outcomes like BDNF, cortisol, and inflammatory markers, and connecting them to stress relief and brain health.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts engage by quoting or referencing the study directly, sharing related ideas about yoga, meditation, and stress resilience, demonstrating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest some influence on public perception, with mentions of how the research could affect stress management practices and health routines, but some dismiss it as 'click bait'.

Abstract in brief

  • The study examined the effects of a 3-month yoga and meditation retreat on 38 participants, finding reductions in anxiety and depression, and increased mindfulness, BDNF levels, and cortisol awakening response.
  • Specifically, participants showed higher levels of the neurotrophic factor BDNF and enhanced cortisol response, which were linked to lower anxiety scores, suggesting improved brain and stress regulation.
  • Changes in inflammatory markers included increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and decreased pro-inflammatory IL-12, while levels of other pro-inflammatory cytokines increased, indicating complex immune responses potentially influenced by meditation, yoga, and physical exercise components.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mind & Life
@mindandlife · X

A pre-post study of participants in a 3-month yoga and mindfulness retreat by Varela grantee Rael Cahn shows altered psychological functioning and other pathways, suggesting enhanced stress resilience and well-being.#MindResearchMonday #openaccess https://t.co/VTmTNAXcCq https://t.co/2G6ivESDD8

Nov 9, 2020 · 7 likes · 1 share · 55,156 followers View post →
tune
@keisuke4713 · X

ヨガ、瞑想、心身の健康:3か月ヨガと瞑想後、脳由来神経栄養因子(BDNF)増、コルチゾール覚醒反応、炎症マーカー変化 https://t.co/dVN1qOT3c7 免疫にプラスだけでなく、主観的幸福を改善 神経可塑性に関連可能性BDNFシグナル伝達増 (抗)炎症誘発性サイトカイン増:免疫学的準備の強化を示す可能性 https://t.co/ykdeZbqM21

Nov 16, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 3,738 followers View post →
Sᴜᴢᴀɴɴᴇ Bᴇʀɴᴇʀᴛ
@suzannebernert · X

@Ksareen30 @ThePollLady @twrahul @BiharKaLall @RahulEaswar @StringReveals @pranavmahajan @engineer_inside @lsab17 @NioZenji @occultb0t @ThePreityEffect @DrAmbardar @Indumakalktchi @RapperPandit https://t.co/K5hVGpqYh8

May 19, 2021 · 5 likes · 61,495 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@seconds_0 @eigenrobot Next you'll tell me meditation improves BDNF. https://t.co/MCpaIzHBBl So... https://t.co/wzPPrkCfOQ

Dec 13, 2022 · 3 likes · 6,443 followers View post →
WΞLLNESS BRAND ACCΞLERATOR
@wellaccel_ · X

Action > Talk In times of stress (which I actually use to active flow a la @FlowGenomeProj) we tell our team to MOVE. Yoga or high-intensity exercise. Both have also been shown to improve #BDNF

Feb 8, 2021 · 2 likes · 333 followers View post →
Yoga Medicine
@yoga_medicine · X

Jun 16, 2025 · 1 like · 72,727 followers View post →

All mentions

Yoga Medicine
@yoga_medicine · X

Jun 16, 2025 · 1 like · 72,727 followers View post →
Dr Ankit
@kpv9nxp7wc · X

@theliverdr Doctor can you please debunk this? It’s being widely spread. It’s about reduced anxiety levels in people doing yoga. https://t.co/TxQnEz66B0

Oct 28, 2023 · 8 followers View post →
Vagal Tone
@vagaltone · X

Want to increase BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) and protect you brain? Meditate! https://t.co/UqTbXAFBqy https://t.co/0JrQmdYBb3

Dec 30, 2022 · 328 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@seconds_0 @eigenrobot Next you'll tell me meditation improves BDNF. https://t.co/MCpaIzHBBl So... https://t.co/wzPPrkCfOQ

Dec 13, 2022 · 3 likes · 6,443 followers View post →
Stanford Lifestyle Medicine
@StanfordLifeMed · X

Source: Cahn BR, Goodman MS, Peterson CT, Maturi R, Mills PJ. Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat. Front Hum Neurosci. 2017 Jun 26;11:315

Nov 14, 2022 · 185 followers View post →
Dr Mike Cowbourne
@RadicalBrewingM · X

Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga a… https://t.co/VNsQKKY2FI

Jul 13, 2022 · 6,177 followers View post →
AwokenedStudios
@AwokenedStudios · X

Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga a… https://t.co/oJ4fsbov6c

Jul 12, 2022 · 10 followers View post →
tomomo_uc
@tomomo_uc · X

RT @keisuke4713: ヨガ、瞑想、心身の健康:3か月ヨガと瞑想後、脳由来神経栄養因子(BDNF)増、コルチゾール覚醒反応、炎症マーカー変化 https://t.co/dVN1qOT3c7 免疫にプラスだけでなく、主観的幸福を改善 神経可塑性に関連可能性BDNFシグナ…

Jul 12, 2022 · 3 shares · 261 followers View post →
まねきねこ(薬害&医療ミス被害、ME/CFS,PS8、パワハラ被害者)
@NA19H5hHBdTdrDr · X

RT @keisuke4713: ヨガ、瞑想、心身の健康:3か月ヨガと瞑想後、脳由来神経栄養因子(BDNF)増、コルチゾール覚醒反応、炎症マーカー変化 https://t.co/dVN1qOT3c7 免疫にプラスだけでなく、主観的幸福を改善 神経可塑性に関連可能性BDNFシグナ…

Jul 12, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,347 followers View post →
ワクチン薬害、シェディング、コロナ後遺症による体調不良などの酸化ストレス解消に電磁波対策も
@okadaue_dsgenki · X

RT @keisuke4713: ヨガ、瞑想、心身の健康:3か月ヨガと瞑想後、脳由来神経栄養因子(BDNF)増、コルチゾール覚醒反応、炎症マーカー変化 https://t.co/dVN1qOT3c7 免疫にプラスだけでなく、主観的幸福を改善 神経可塑性に関連可能性BDNFシグナ…

Apr 2, 2022 · 3 shares · 2,013 followers View post →
tune
@keisuke4713 · X

ヨガ、瞑想、心身の健康:3か月ヨガと瞑想後、脳由来神経栄養因子(BDNF)増、コルチゾール覚醒反応、炎症マーカー変化 https://t.co/dVN1qOT3c7 免疫にプラスだけでなく、主観的幸福を改善 神経可塑性に関連可能性BDNFシグナル伝達増 (抗)炎症誘発性サイトカイン増:免疫学的準備の強化を示す可能性 https://t.co/ykdeZbqM21

Nov 16, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 3,738 followers View post →
Sᴜᴢᴀɴɴᴇ Bᴇʀɴᴇʀᴛ
@suzannebernert · X

@Ksareen30 @ThePollLady @twrahul @BiharKaLall @RahulEaswar @StringReveals @pranavmahajan @engineer_inside @lsab17 @NioZenji @occultb0t @ThePreityEffect @DrAmbardar @Indumakalktchi @RapperPandit https://t.co/K5hVGpqYh8

May 19, 2021 · 5 likes · 61,495 followers View post →
WΞLLNESS BRAND ACCΞLERATOR
@wellaccel_ · X

Action > Talk In times of stress (which I actually use to active flow a la @FlowGenomeProj) we tell our team to MOVE. Yoga or high-intensity exercise. Both have also been shown to improve #BDNF

Feb 8, 2021 · 2 likes · 333 followers View post →
Nature Yogi Marco Andre
@DjMarcoAndre · X

Frontiers | Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat | Human Neuroscience https://t.co/ZJXZKIit9U via @exchangle

Jan 11, 2021 · 8,314 followers View post →
Pema Jempa
@PemaJempa · X

RT @mindandlife: A pre-post study of participants in a 3-month yoga and mindfulness retreat by Varela grantee Rael Cahn shows altered psych…

Nov 9, 2020 · 1 share · 264 followers View post →
Mind & Life
@mindandlife · X

A pre-post study of participants in a 3-month yoga and mindfulness retreat by Varela grantee Rael Cahn shows altered psychological functioning and other pathways, suggesting enhanced stress resilience and well-being.#MindResearchMonday #openaccess https://t.co/VTmTNAXcCq https://t.co/2G6ivESDD8

Nov 9, 2020 · 7 likes · 1 share · 55,156 followers View post →
Cheshire
@Thatsregrettab1 · X

@HarvardHealth Harvard is touting @FrontiersIn paper (https://t.co/piJVt7rGhO) co-authored by researcher with @ChopraFNDN with this disclosure for funding? Top-quality click bait. https://t.co/1iZ2ZDle9j

Aug 22, 2020 · 1 like · 2,688 followers View post →
Nature Yogi Marco Andre
@DjMarcoAndre · X

Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat https://t.co/wRk5P8AVDc

Dec 11, 2019 · 8,314 followers View post →
Just a guy!
@deb_pramanik · X

Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat!!

Feb 19, 2019 · 266 followers View post →