Researchers have unveiled significant benefits of mindfulness and meditation for diabetics.One of the most painful elements of Diabetes is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN). Around 55% to 65% of people with diabetes experience DPN according to StatPearls.
DPN develops slowly, often starting with tingling, numbness, or pain in the feet and hands. Over time, it can lead to serious problems like foot ulcers, difficulty walking, and even amputations.
On top of the physical symptoms, many people also struggle with anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life according to the American Diabetes Association.
Johns Hopkins Medicine tells us that Standard treatments for DPN focus on controlling blood sugar and making lifestyle changes, but these don’t always help enough—especially for ongoing pain.
Thankfully, mindfulness and meditation can help.
How Mindfulness Helps With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Over the past few decades, mindfulness and meditation have gained major popularity both as a home practice and in clinical use. As a meditation teacher myself, over the course of my life I’ve seen meditation go from being seen as near occultism here in the west to being an all but essential way of managing stress.
Meditation, of course, is the practice of focusing the mind in various exercises, and mindfulness is the general quality of being present. Both practices are used for a wide range of health benefits. Indeed, in my own practice I’ve been blessed to help people with everything from sleep apnea to anxiety. And now, the latest research is showing the benefits of mindfulness for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.
The Research
To understand whether mindfulness therapy can help people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, researchers conducted a narrative review of recent scientific studies. They searched the PubMed database for all research published in the last six years on mindfulness and DPN, looking at both clinical trials and laboratory studies. The team examined how mindfulness and meditation affect the brain, nervous system, hormones, inflammation, and even cell health — then linked these effects to the symptoms and progression of DPN.
The team included a variety of mindfulness approaches, from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to integrated programs that combine mindfulness with exercise, acupuncture, or medication. Studies from multiple countries were reviewed, covering different patient groups, intervention lengths, and outcome measures such as pain levels, mood, sleep quality, and nerve function.
Benefits of mindfulness for DPN
The research shows mindfulness can:
- Change how the brain processes pain so it feels less intense.
- Calm overactive stress systems in the body (like the fight-or-flight response).
- Reduce inflammation, which plays a role in nerve damage.
- Improve mood, sleep, and coping skills
- Boost “feel-good” chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin
- Encourage healthier thinking patterns, reducing worry and rumination.
What happens in the body and brain
Mindfulness seems to work on several levels:
- Brain networks – It helps balance networks involved in self-reflection, attention, and emotional regulation.
- Stress hormones – It lowers cortisol and helps restore healthy daily rhythms.
- Immune system – It reduces harmful inflammation while keeping the body’s defenses strong.
- Nerve health – It may slow cell aging, protect DNA, and promote nerve repair.
- Metabolism – It can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress.
Ways to practice mindfulness for DPN
The researchers offered various ways to practice meditation for the relief of pain associated with DPN:
- Individual sessions – Breathing exercises, meditation, body scans tailored to the person’s needs.
- Group programs – Structured 8-week courses (like MBSR) with peer support.
- Combination approaches – Pairing mindfulness with exercise, acupuncture, medication, or therapy.
- I will note that in my own sessions I particularly recommend Body Scan and Vipassana for pain relief based on research and on my individual experience from teaching hundreds of people to use meditation for that very purpose.
Through exercises like these, the researchers tell us, meditation can help to:
- Lower pain levels
- Reduce fatigue.
- Improve sleep and mood.
- Enhance quality of life
Combining mindfulness with aerobic exercise may be especially effective for nerve function and well-being. This is backed by another study from this week that showed that combining mindfulness with physical exercise significantly improves quality of life.
The researchers did, however, note some challenges and also some limitations of the research:
- More long-term studies are needed to confirm benefits.
- It can be hard to fit into standard medical care.
- The quality of mindfulness instruction matters a lot. This is something I’ve personally written about in depth as the tuition on some apps and websites leaves much to be desired.
- Cultural adaptations may be needed for different populations.
Summary
Mindfulness therapy isn’t a cure for DPN, but it can be a powerful tool to manage pain, improve mood, and support overall health. With further research and integration into care plans, it could become a regular part of treatment for people living with diabetic nerve damage.
Paul Harrison is a meditation teacher with 20+ years of experience and a deep passion for helping others. Known for his empathy and authentic approach, he’s dedicated to guiding individuals and teams toward mindfulness, clarity, and well-being.