There is an interesting possible link between meditation, Parkinson’s and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
BDNF is a protein that helps the brain maintain and strengthen neurons and supports neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize its neural connections. BDNF activity may be reduced in Parkinson’s, while exercise is known to increase it temporarily.
Could meditation have a similar effect? A meta-analysis of eight controlled trials found that mindfulness-based interventions were associated with increased BDNF measured in the blood. The studies were not specifically about Parkinson’s, and some interventions included movement, so we should be cautious about drawing conclusions.
Still, it raises an intriguing possibility: meditation may support some of the same biological processes involved in the brain’s resilience and adaptation. It’s a hypothesis worth exploring, not evidence that meditation slows Parkinson’s.
Read the study
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7522212
Last Updated on September 21, 2026 | Published: September 21, 2026