“The heart and the brraaaainnnn…”

This phrase you hear at events during meditations may be the key to understanding how the mind can change the body and how the heart can influence the mind.

My graduate studies at the Medical College of Wisconsin (from January 1999-May 2022) focused on stress adaptation in the heart. In the mid-1980s it was discovered that small amounts of stress protected the heart from a subsequent stress that was more lethal and toxic [1]. This concept, known as preconditioning, involves activating endogenous systems regulating kinases and protein modulators in the acute phase and altered gene response in a delayed phase. This process is also universal and can be coaxed in virtually all organs.

As we move into the final quarter of the year, it is a time to reflect on three very important things: the happenings over the past year, where we currently stand on the research, and what we have to look forward to immediately…Orlando is just around the corner as I write this! As always, our team at UC San Diego is so grateful for your support. We could not have done the immense amount of data analysis this past year without you! With your continued support, we can boldly look ahead to transform the role of meditation in healthcare and for our future research to develop deep insights into the mind-body connection.

“Publish or perish”. This phrase is learned early in academic training. It often describes the pressure researchers and academics face to continually produce and publish their work in reputable journals or other scholarly outlets to advance their careers. The concept reflects that in academia, the quantity and quality of a researcher’s publications play a crucial role in their reputation, career progression, tenure decisions, and overall success.