Mind- Body Research Lab UCLA
University of California
Los Angeles, CA
Telephone: (310) 825-2961
Website: https://bowerlab.psych.ucla.edu/
Description of Organization
The mission of the Mind-Body Research lab is to advance the scientific understanding of how psychological stress influences mental and physical well-being, and to develop and investigate interventions designed to enhance an individual’s ability to withstand the adverse effects of stress. To advance our mission, we conduct well-designed experiments using observational, experimental, and intervention-based approaches to understand various aspects of the psychological and physiological stress response, including why some individuals are more vulnerable to the effects of stress, the contextual factors that influence how an individual will respond to adversity, and how these experiences of stress influence long-term health outcomes. We are particularly interested in the pathways that underlie the associations between stress and long-term health, with a particular interest in the immune system as a key pathway linking mind and body. Furthermore, we aim to investigate interventions, such as meditation, that can be widely offered to individuals at a relatively low cost or with minimal barriers to entry to support and enhance their mental and physical well-being.
Grant(s) Awarded
In 2026, a donation in the amount of $1,000 was awarded to support Healthcare workers face alarming rates of work-related psychological distress, which negatively impacts both employee health and patient care quality. This study will investigate whether a six-week mindfulness program based on the traditional Four Immeasurable practice can help reduce distress and improve well-being. Researchers hope this intervention, which focuses on cultivating positive emotions toward oneself and others, could provide an effective solution for workplace mental health challenges.