Our current findings of greater pineal integrity, greater grey matter integrity, and lower brain age in meditators, combined with the large supporting body of literature on cortical/functional benefits of meditation, suggest that meditation could be beneficial in the context of cognitive and neurophysiological ageing by improving melatonin availability and regulation. Given melatonin’s downstream roles in sleep, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammation, immune modulation and neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation, it seems plausible that early pineal degeneration could play a causal role in age-related brain degeneration, and that structural preservation via meditation could be of benefit. More research is required, but the structural benefits to the pineal appear to be cumulative with practice, so how an acute intervention using meditation might be of benefit once cognitive and cortical degeneration have begun is not known. It seems likely that optimal benefit from mindfulness and breathing practices could be achieved from early and continuous practice across the lifetime.
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JayPwP
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Thanks Jay. It is a confirmation of what many, including myself, have already experienced. However, there is a caveat…
Given the limitations of the study, as acknowledged by the researchers, including the small sample size and cross-sectional design, it would be more appropriate to use a more cautious wording. Employing "could be associated" instead of "is associated" would make the results less definitive and better account for the possibility of other influencing factors.
It remains unclear which specific aspects of meditation influence the observed effects, and other relevant factors, such as education level and emotional health, were not sufficiently investigated. Furthermore, the relationship between gray matter degeneration and meditation may be impacted by indirect factors, such as improved sleep quality due to increased melatonin production and stress reduction. These limitations emphasize the need for future research with larger and longitudinal studies. However, finding participants who have a positive attitude towards meditation and have not made other lifestyle improvements, such as dietary changes or increased physical activity, will be challenging, as these factors can confound the results.
What should be noted about this table is that the last line is people with PD. Hence even if serum Melatonin levels are higher in PD without treatment, CSF levels are lower.
This is significant as during sleep (and also during the day to a much lesser extent) the CSF provides melatonin to brain cells. (IMO) This is why the cerebellum ages more slowly than the rest of the body.
That's because melatonin acts to reduce the rate at which mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is mutated.
Hence there is an argument that the mechanism of Parkinsons starts with whatever causes a lower rate of melatonin to be injected into the third ventricle of the CSF via the pineal recess.
(either more going into serum or less being produced in the round).
This is why I do fake meditation using 250 hz pulsed at 40 hz. I read that a 40 hz pulsed audio can put your brain into the same state as meditation. I made this 50 minute audio file and listen to it every night before I go to bed. I use bone conduction bluetooth headphones but you can use regular headphones or even play it on a mono speaker.
I have a high school degree and no medical training!
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Newbie, not on medication, seeks advice on Pineal gland - decalcifying and activating (e.g. Joe Dispenza, meditation, vibration etc.) please
Benfotiamine (Fat Soluble Form Of Vitamin B1) and AD
Thoughts on klonopin for sleep/ RBD. 
Anything new from Dr Fossel, telomeres and astragalus ?
