Does stopping Chitta vritti interfere with epigenetic modification and gene expression?

Background: According to Patanjali’s yoga sutra, “ Yogaschitta vrtti nirodhah ” – to stop/block the patterns of consciousness is yoga. Mindfulness is one such practice wherein there is complete awareness of an object, activity, or a person in a vritti -less state. Discussion: Available literature suggests that the vritti -less state of mind does not only give a relaxed psychological state of mind but also induces changes at the epigenetic and gene expression levels. The molecular alterations related to the yogic state of mindfulness is documented by profiling the epigenetic response in long-term meditators. It has been proven that 64 differentially methylated regions were activated during meditation, corresponding to gene expression, neurotransmission, and inflammatory pathway regulation, which in turn are beneficial in the management of various non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and inflammatory disease conditions. Conclusion: The implementation of Patanjali’s yoga sutra of “ Yogaschitta vrtti nirodhah ” would have various therapeutic effects not only at psychological levels but also in epigenetic and gene expression levels.