Global Wellness Institute Wellness Evidence

Medical Evidence for Wellness Approaches

Explore trusted, authoritative, peer-reviewed research across today’s leading wellness modalities. Powered by the Global Wellness Institute, Wellness Evidence helps you discover the science behind wellness so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Latest Wellness Evidence Studies in the News

Single Dose of Psilocybin Caused Positive Anatomical Brain Changes a Month Later

Study Finds Sweet Spot for Strength Training’s Impact on Longevity: 90-119 Minutes Per Week  

Arts Therapy Reduces Anxiety, Stress & Mood Disturbances

Sauna Culture Improves Physical and Mental Wellbeing, With the Social Connection as Impactful as the Heat

Strong Muscles Linked to Significantly Longer Lives for Women

Mixing Up Exercise Linked to Longevity

Study Finds Listening to Music Regularly Linked with 39% Decrease in Dementia

Food—Not Lack of Exercise—Fuels Obesity, Major Study Finds

Chronic Insomnia Linked to 40% Increase in Dementia Risk

Just 15 Minutes of Fast Walking per Day Can Dramatically Improve Longevity

Nightmares Linked to Rapid Biological Aging and Early Death

Landmark Study Shows Exercise Is “Better Than Drugs” in Stopping Cancer Returning 

Study Suggests We Don’t Just Hear Music, but ‘Become It’

Cold Plunges Produce Cellular Changes, Improving Autophagic Function Linked to Longevity

Study: Being in Shape is Far Better for Longevity than Being Thin

Study: Just Four Minutes of Intense Exercise Each Day Slashes Cardiovascular Risk

Virtual Yoga Classes Showed Major Impact on Back Pain, Use of Pain Meds, Quality of Sleep

Mindfulness Meditation Offers Real Pain Relief; Not a Placebo

Catching Up on Sleep on Weekends Associated With 20% Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Study: Work Stress Linked to 97% Increased Risk of Irregular Heart Rhythm (AFib)

Psilocybin Causes “Massive Changes” in the Network of Neurons in the Brain

Study: Women Who Do Strength Training Live Significantly Longer

Study: Long-Term Success of Weight Loss Drugs Depends on Exercise

Heat Therapy May Lead to Better Outcomes in Treating Depression than Cold Exposure

“Sleep Regularity” Matters More Than How Long You Sleep

Sitting All Day Increases Dementia Risk—Even If You Work Out

One Dose of Psilocybin Showed Lasting Effects on Major Depression

Exposure to Natural Fragrances During Sleep Dramatically Boosts Cognitive Function

Intermittent Fasting and Calorie Counting Equally Effective for Weight Loss–But Former Easier to Adhere To

Yoga Reduces Inflammation Markers in Cancer Patients, Cutting Risk of It Spreading or Returning

New! CBD Evidence Now Available on WellnessEvidence.com

TCM Herb, Astragalus, Protects Heart Attack Patients Better Than Current Drugs

Exercise in Nature Delivers Bigger Brain Benefits than Indoor Workouts

Exercise: 1.5 Times More Effective Than Medication and Therapy for Depression

For Stress Reduction, “Cyclic Sighing” Breathwork Beats Mindfulness Meditation

Meditation Is as Effective as Common Medication for Anxiety Disorder

New Study: Psilocybin Therapy Dramatically Reduced Heavy Drinking

Low to Moderate Levels of Stress Boost Brain Functioning

Stress Ages the Immune System

“Groove Music” Significantly Increases Cognitive Abilities and Executive Function

Strong Link Between Even Modest Physical Activity and Lower Levels of Depression

Psilocybin Therapy Spurs Rapid, Sustained Improvement in Depression

Study: Sleeping with Even the Dimmest Light Raises Blood Sugar and Heart Rate

Study: Time-Restricted Eating Prevents and Manages Conditions Like Obesity and Diabetes

Study: A Week of Intense Meditation Caused Significant Positive Changes to Immune System

Study: Stress Is Worse for Your Heart Than Physical Risk Factors

30 Years of Studies Make it Clear: Exercise Is Strongly Linked to Mental Health

Largest-Ever Study Finds Psilocybin Is Highly Effective Against Serious Depression

6 Months of Meditation Training Significantly Reduces Cortisol Secretion and Systemic Stress

Eating Breakfast Early Means Lower Risk of Diabetes and Weight Gain

WELLNESS EVIDENCE: Lower-Carb, Higher-Fat Diet Helps Heart Health

Your Microbiome Impacts Whether You Can Lose Weight…Or Not

Hard Evidence: Fermented Foods Alter Your Microbiome and Reduce Inflammatory Compounds

Study: Conventional Wisdom about Metabolism Is Completely Wrong: A Slowdown Doesn’t Happen in Mid-Life and Women Don’t Have Slower Metabolisms than Men

Wellness Evidence Study: Psilocybin Therapy Appears as Effective as Leading Antidepressant

Wellness Evidence Study: “Spiritual Fitness” Reduces Alzheimer’s Risk

Wellness Evidence Study: Single Dose of Psilocybin Reduced Depression and Anxiety for 5 Years

Wellness Evidence Study: Regular Exercise Protects Against COVID Hospitalization and Death

Wellness Evidence Study: Walk Fast! Two New Studies Reveal Its Power

Wellness Evidence Study: Childhood Diet Has Lifelong Impact

Wellness Evidence Study: With Meditation, the Instructor and Group Outweigh Amount or Type Practiced

Wellness Evidence Study: Exercise Linked to Creativity and Imagination

Wellness Evidence Study: Exercise as Effective as Mindfulness at Reducing Stress

Wellness Evidence Study: 11 Minutes of Exercise a Day Counters Effects of Sitting; 35 Minutes Is the Sweet Spot

Wellness Evidence Study: Weight Training Reduces Anxiety

Wellness Evidence Study: Weighted Blankets Help with Insomnia

Wellness Evidence Study: Acupuncture Helped Chronic Back Pain Sufferers Walk and Move Better

Wellness Evidence Study: Pranayama Breathing Exercises Reduce Anxiety and Lead to Positive Changes in Brain

Wellness Evidence Study: An “Awe Walk” Boosts Mental Wellbeing

Wellness Evidence Study: Kundalini Yoga Found Positive for Anxiety Disorder

Wellness Evidence Study: Study: Exercise Boosts Immune Response from Vaccinations

Wellness Evidence Study: Obesity Hurts the Brain

Wellness Evidence Study: Intermittent Fasting Cuts 550 Calories a Day

Wellness Evidence Study: Meditation Seems to Have Powerful Heart Benefits

Wellness Evidence Study: Sitting All Day Linked to Dramatically Higher Rates of Cancer

Wellness Evidence Study: Poor Sleep Increases Risk for Heart Disease, Stroke & Atherosclerosis

Wellness Evidence Study: People Exercising during Pandemic Are Less Depressed & More Mentally Resilient

Wellness Evidence Study: Yoga Is a Migraine Fighter

Wellness Evidence Study: Daily Meditation Reduces Anxiety & Boosts Cognitive Function

Wellness Evidence – Stay-at-Home Health

Wellness Evidence Study: Exercise Proven to Boost Immunity & Reduce Risk of Illness

Wellness Evidence Study: Optimists Have Much Lower Risk of Disease and Mortality Rates

Wellness Evidence Study: Intermittent Fasting Best Diet for Weight Loss; Mediterranean Diet Healthier Overall

Wellness Evidence Study: Loss of Just One Night’s Sleep Ups Tau Protein Associated with Alzheimer’s

Dance: A Proven Depression Fighter

Wellness Evidence Study: Yoga Significantly Improves Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms

Wellness Evidence Study: Mind-Body Interventions, Including Meditation, Reduce Pain & Opioid Doses

Wellness Evidence Study: Napping as Medicine

Wellness Evidence Study: Any Daily Activity Lowers Mortality Risk

Wellness Evidence Study: Music Therapy as Powerful as a Sedative in Reducing Anxiety before Surgery

Wellness Evidence Study: Exercise During Pregnancy Builds Babies’ Aptitude for Movement

Wellness Evidence Study: Paying People to Stop Smoking Proves Very Effective

Wellness Evidence Study: Yoga Breathing & Relaxation Lowers Blood Pressure as Much as Aerobic Exercise

Wellness Evidence Study: Ultra-Processed Foods Are the Weight Gain Villain – Not Sugar, Fat, Carbs

Wellness Evidence Study: 15-Minutes of Meditation Has Similar Effects As a Day of Vacation

Wellness Evidence Study: Ultra-Processed Foods Link to Heart Disease and Early Death

Wellness Evidence Study: Exercise Makes People Happier than Money

Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of May 20, 2019)

Wellness Evidence Study: Even 20–40 Minutes of Physical Activity Eliminates Health Risks from Sitting

Wellness Evidence Study: Stress Strongly Linked to Heart Disease, Especially For People Under 50

Wellness Evidence Study: Sugary Drinks Linked to Shorter Life Span

Wellness Evidence Study: Tai Chi Proven to Reduce Risk of Falls

Wellness Evidence Study: Screen Time Before Bed Significantly Impairs Children’s Sleep & Quality of Life

Wellness Evidence Study: Do E-Cigarettes Help Smokers Quit?

Study: Six to Eight Hours a Night the Sweet Spot for Healthy Sleep

Study: Lifelong Exercisers Have Bodies “Thirty Years Younger”

Study: Sleep, Exercise and Limits on Screen Time Boost Kids’ Brainpower

Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of October 23, 2018)

Study: Best Sports for a Long Life? Social like Tennis, not Solitary like Jogging

Study: With Weight Loss, the More You Lose, the More Radical the Impact

Study: Regular Sauna-Going Tied to Amazing Array of Health Benefits

Study: Good Sleep Crucial for Teens’ Metabolic Health

Study: Fitness in Midlife a Weapon Against Depression & Cardiovascular Disease Later

Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of July 3, 2018)

Study: Foods that Mix Fat & Carbs Trick the Brain & Make Us Overeat

Study: Weekend Sleep-Ins Help Avoid Early Death

Study: Disrupted Body Clock Linked to Mood Disorders

Study: Children Who Eat Fish Score Higher on IQ Tests & Sleep Better

Study: Dancing Is #1 Exercise to Slow the Aging Process

Study: Lack of Sleep Creates “Sleepy” Brain Cells

Study: Group Exercise Improves Quality of Life and Reduces Stress

Study Suggests Regular Sauna-Going Lowers Risk for Hypertension

Wellness Evidence Study: Expressive Writing Helps Chronic Worriers Perform Better

Study: Walking in Nature Beat the Treadmill

Wellness Evidence Study: Yoga Works as Well as Physical Therapy for Back Pain

Wellness Evidence Study: Trendy Fasting Delivers No Unique Weight Loss Benefits  

New Study: With Sleep Deprivation, the Brain Begins to “Eat Itself”

Wellness Evidence​​​​​​​: New Study: Cost of Sedentary Children is Staggering

New Study: Dancing Better for Brain than Walking, Stretching

Study: A Hot Bath Delivers Health Benefits Similar to Exercise

New Back Pain Guidelines: Try Acupuncture, Massage, Tai Chi or Yoga Before Pills

New Study: Chronic Stress Associated with Higher Levels of Obesity

Wellness Evidence​​​​​​​: Hot Springs Found to Relieve Chronic Pain, Depression and Insomnia

Study: One Week at Wellness Retreat Results in Health Improvements

New Study: Time in Saunas Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Study: Acupuncture, Yoga, Massage and Tai Chi Show Evidence for Pain Management

Study: Ordering/Choosing Food Before Eating Means Lower-Calorie Diet

Learn Something, Wait a Few Hours, then Exercise to Build Memory

New Study: Kids with Early Bedtimes Half as Likely to Become Obese

New Study: Sleep Problems Linked to Diabetes in Men

New Study: Eating Whole Grains Cuts Risk of Early Death by 17 Percent

Meditation Lowered Anxiety, Stress & Cortisol Levels in School Kids

Wellness Evidence Study: 1 Minute of Intense Exercise Equals 45 Minutes of Moderate Exercise

Wellness Evidence Study: Mindfulness Therapy Powerful at Reducing Relapses of Depression

Wellness Evidence Study: Walking, Swimming, Dancing, Even Gardening – All are Alzheimer’s Fighters

Study: Mindfulness Beats Painkillers for Back Pain

The More Hours You Work, the Greater Your Risk of Heart Disease

Wellness Evidence: What Kind of Exercise Builds the Most New Brain Cells?

Now There is Proof! Mindfulness Meditation Changes Both the Brain and Body

To Prevent Back Pain, Forget Orthotics and Back Belts – Exercise Instead

Bad Sleep? Low-Fiber, High-Fat & Sugary Foods May Be to Blame

12-Minutes of Daily Yoga Reversed Bone Loss from Osteoporosis

Study Indicates that with Diets, What’s Healthy for One, Can Be Terrible for Another

Wellness Evidence: Obese Children Who Cut Back on Sugar Turn Their Metabolic Health Around in 10 Days

Wellness Evidence: Stress Messes with Brain to Make Healthy Food Choices Harder

Wellness Evidence: Long Work Hours Kill: Increase Stroke Risk by 33 Percent

Wellness Industry’s Attention to 9 Lifestyle Risk Factors Could Be Key to Reducing 2/3 of Alzheimer’s Cases

Women: Step Away from the Desk and Lower Your Risk of Cancer & Early Mortality

New Stanford University Study: Acupuncture Reduces Pain after Surgery

New Study: Walking in Nature Impacts Brain and May Reduce Depression

More Vacations: Less Heart Disease

Mediterranean Diet Helps Mitigate Cognitive Decline, Memory Loss

New Study Shows Success of Financial Incentives to Quit Smoking

Exercise: How Much Is Too Little? Too Much? Just Right?

Surprising Survey Results: Top 5 Things That Make People 'Feel Great'

Survey reveals Fast Food Still Sold in Hospitals

Visual Cues Can Contribute to Weight Loss

Use It or Lose It—New Study on Twins Reveals Big Impact of Exercise on Health

Finnish Study Indicates Frequent Sauna Usage May Boost Longevity …Heart-warming new data on the relationship between saunas and heart health

RESEARCH STUDY ON WEIGHT LOSS

RESEARCH STUDY ON MEDITATION