Explore how decades of daily Zazen show up in the brain. This episode compares pioneering 1966 EEG recordings of Zen monks with modern 2025 studies, revealing consistent alpha and theta signatures that mark a calm, attentive baseline. Long-term practice, the research suggests, transforms meditation from a temporary state into a lasting trait of the mind.

On this episode of the Jade Dragon Podcast we review Robert McGee’s 2025 paper showing that Tai Chi and Qigong can support recovery for breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients by reducing fatigue and inflammation and improving mood, sleep, cognition, and physical function.

These low-impact, accessible practices act as moving meditation and autonomic regulators, offering a safe, non‑pharmacological adjunct to conventional care; the evidence is promising but larger, longer trials are still needed.

Researchers review how mindfulness-based practices—meditation, yoga, tai chi, and qigong—can influence gene expression without changing DNA sequence, reducing inflammation, preserving telomeres, and improving stress resilience.

The episode explains epigenetics in simple terms, summarizes key study findings, and offers a practical takeaway: regular mindful breathing and movement can leave measurable biological marks that support long-term health.