Researchers from John Hopkins University found 47 trials that suggested that mindfulness meditation has the potential to help with anxiety, depression and pain. [1] This same investigation found that "meditation programs can result in small to moderate reductions of multiple dimensions of psychological stress."
Researchers found that, "meditation reduces pain through multiple brain mechanisms." [2] Additionally, the same study concluded that, "meditation engages multiple brain mechanisms that alter the construction of the subjectively available pain experience."
Researchers noted that mindfulness-based stress reduction, "is moderately effective in reducing stress, depression, anxiety, and distress, and in ameliorating the quality of life of healthy individuals." [5] This same investigation found that "meditation programs can result in small to moderate reductions of multiple dimensions of psychological stress."
One investigation notes that, "participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program is likely to result in coping better with symptoms, improved well-being, quality of life, and enhanced health outcomes." [3] This same investigation found that all fifteen studies analyzed all noted that participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program led to improvements.
One study found that "research supports the claim that mindfulness meditation exerts beneficial effects on physical and mental health and cognitive performance." [6] While the neural mechanisms are still uncertain, the same study noted that, "recent neuroimaging studies have begun to uncover the brain areas and networks that mediate these positive effects."
