Imagine our body as a skyscraper filled with thousands of lights. Each light represents a gene—some shine brightly, some dimly, and some are completely off.
Meanwhile, our DNA is the “wiring system” that remains permanent. But who decides which lights turn on or off? The answer: epigenetics.
Epigenetics is a biological system that works like sticky notes placed on top of DNA, telling it which genes should be active, which should remain silent, and when those changes need to occur. This mechanism does not alter the DNA letters themselves, but it can influence how the DNA is read.
Trauma Written in the Body
A study published last year in the journal Nature revealed how trauma leaves visible biological marks. Researchers found more than ten thousand DNA methylation changes in the blood cells of patients with severe injuries compared to normal conditions.
Most of these altered genes were linked to inflammation and blood clotting, as if the body was being forced to stay in constant emergency mode.
The same applies to psychological stress. A 2023 study published in PubMed Central (PMC) found that long-term stress can modify crucial genes such as NR3C1 (which regulates stress hormones), OXTR (which facilitates emotional bonding) and BDNF (which supports memory and learning). In other words, the stress we experience daily can be directly recorded in our biology.
Even more striking is the fact that trauma can cross generations. A 2025 study published in the journal Nature examined Syrian refugee families and found that grandmothers who had experienced violence during pregnancy had identical DNA methylation patterns to their grandchildren.
This means that painful past experiences can be passed down as “chemical notes” on DNA, even if descendants never went through those events themselves. This phenomenon provides a biological explanation for why the collective wounds of a nation or family trauma can continue to echo in the lives of future generations.
Meditation as “Epigenetic Therapy”
While trauma can leave biological scars, the good news is that positive thoughts can also act as a remedy. A study published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine showed that meditation can alter epigenetic patterns in ways that promote health.
A study on college students in India who practised Preksha Dhyāna meditation for eight weeks found 470 DNA sites that changed significantly, with many related to brain function and body metabolism.
Another study published in ScienceDirect in 2022, which was conducted on participants in a one-month intensive meditation retreat, revealed that pro-inflammatory gene pathways—particularly TNF—became far less active compared to the control group. This suggests that meditation not only calms the mind, but also alters the way inflammation-related genes function.
Beyond that, a comprehensive 2025 study in Frontiers found consistent evidence that meditation, combined with a healthy diet and exercise, can slow down the "epigenetic clock", a biological marker of aging written into our DNA.
How the Mind Touches DNA
At first glance, this may sound strange, as if thoughts could penetrate directly into the cell nucleus. But the mechanism can be explained scientifically.
When we experience stress, the brain triggers the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol flows through the body, signaling cells to prepare for threats. This signal is interpreted by epigenetic enzymes that modify DNA structure, for example, by adding methyl groups to certain genes. As a result, inflammation-promoting genes become active, while repair-related genes are suppressed.
Conversely, when we meditate or experience positive emotions, cortisol levels decrease. The cell’s biochemical environment shifts, and epigenetic enzymes act in the opposite way.
Inflammatory genes become less active, while genes that support healing and balance become more open to expression. In this way, a healthy mind can quite literally flip the genetic switches in a better direction.
Why Does This Matter to Our Lives?
Epigenetics shows us that health is not only about the genes we inherit, but also about how we treat ourselves and the environment we live in.
Trauma can leave biological marks that make us more vulnerable to disease or psychological challenges. On the other hand, simple lifestyle changes—such as managing stress, practicing meditation, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying active—can literally shift our genetic switches toward a healthier state.
This understanding also reshapes how we view public health. If trauma can be inherited epigenetically, then post-conflict recovery programs or mental health support are no longer merely psychological concerns. They become biological investments for future generations.
Source:
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41525-024-00438-4
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10177343/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-89818-z
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jicm.2022.0713
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497622000431?via%3Dihub
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1632999/full
