Mindfulness meditation is gaining ground within the modern medical world for its astounding positive affects on the human mind and body. As it continues to make its way into our preventive treatments and therapy options, researchers have begun looking into its possible affects on changing ones epigenomes, which is the chemical compound that modifies our bodies genomes and tells them what to do, where to do it and when to do it.
Basically the coding to our own unique programming.

Although research and clinical studies are scarce within this specific area of study, the evidence that has since emerged is strong enough to support its proclaimed powerful affects of rewiring our genetic coding. The definition of mindfulness is maintaining an awareness of the present moment of ones bodily sensations, surrounding environment, emotions, and thoughts. Even though the science and medical community is just now looking into this powerful tool of awareness, it has been around for centuries.

Derived from Buddhist meditation, mindfulness meditation has made its way into our western healthcare system thanks to Jon Kabat-Zinn. Kabat-Zinn created what we know as the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in 1979, and since then, has inspired thousands of studies to be conducted looking into the powerful affects the program has on ones health. Mindfulness meditation practices have become more popular within western society, as the CDC found that 14.2% of the population participated within this practice in 2017, which was nearly three times the amount reported in 2012. As more Americans are incorporating this practice into their daily lives, there are still so many that are unaware to the magnitude of change in which they can make within themselves and their health by participating in such a simple practice.

When looking at the possible affects that mindfulness meditation has on changing ones epigenomes, the evidence thus far is truly fascinating. A study led by Dr. Dean Ornish with the University of California, San Fransisco looked into the affects of meditation on low-risk prostate cancer survivors. The results showed that meditation was able to molecularly mitigate and silence the processes that played a role in the development of cancer.

Another study done looking into the similar affects found that mindfulness was capable of exerting a powerful histone modification on the chief regulators, H4 pan-acetyl and histone H3 trim ethyl Lys4, which were responsible for cancerous tumor formation and development. Furthermore, a study conducted by Chaix et al., found that a single 8-hour mindfulness meditation retreat had the power to rapidly alter methylation levels that affected epigenetic expression in genes that regulated inflammation, immune cell metabolism, DNA repair, cellular aging, RNA metabolism, protein translation, cell adhesion, and even neurotransmission. Given that epigenetics can be expressed differently based off of ones external environment, it is logical to theorize that a practice such as mindfulness meditation can have a direct affect on changing ones epigenomes. Thus ultimately allows one to change the course of their health by incorporating a simple practice into their daily lives.

I whole heartily believe that this form of treatment is valid, as all the research emerging is backing up these claims. When looking at the population of people who should be using this care, I believe it should be used world-wide. It is a free and effective treatment option that we are all able to access, given it comes from within. It would take awhile to get the ball rolling, but the more awareness that is brought to this area of treatment, the more accepted it will become. For the future of American health care, this therapy could be implemented into pretty much any form of healthcare currently available within our western system. At the moment, I see it thriving the most in alternative healthcare treatments and modalities, as most holistic and lifestyle doctors are educated and aware of the powerful affects mindfulness meditation can have on ones health.