# Impact of intensive meditation on biological systems > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/impact-of-intensive-meditation-on-biological-systems > Updated: 2026-08-24T17:14:10.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have published findings in the journal Communications Biology regarding the physiological effects of intensive meditation. A study involving 20 healthy adults participating in a seven-day residential retreat—comprising approximately 33 hours of meditation and 25 hours of lectures—revealed measurable changes in both neurological and biological systems. Using MRI scans, the research team observed shifts in functional connectivity and blood flow within brain networks associated with attention, sensory processing, and self-perception. These neurological changes were noted to bear similarities to altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelics. In addition to brain activity, laboratory analysis of blood plasma showed significant biological shifts. When post-retreat plasma was applied to laboratory-grown neurons, the cells developed longer neurites compared to those exposed to pre-retreat plasma. The study, led by Professor Hemal H. Patel and first author Alex Jinich-Diamant, aimed to observe the holistic impact of the retreat environment, including changes in diet, sleep, and social interaction. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: University of California researchers find brain and blood changes after meditation University of California, San Diego researchers found that a seven-day intensive meditation retreat caused measurable changes in brain activity and blood plasma, promoting longer neurite growth in lab cells. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-of-california-researchers-find-brain-and-blood-changes-after-meditation ### 2026-08-16: Intensive meditation alters brain connectivity and biological systems A study published in Communications Biology reveals that seven days of intensive meditation can alter brain connectivity, blood flow, and immune system signaling in healthy adults. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/intensive-meditation-alters-brain-connectivity-and-biological-systems --- Cite as: Impact of intensive meditation on biological systems. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/impact-of-intensive-meditation-on-biological-systems