During our INZEUM training retreat in August, Professor Kim Joo-hwan gave a fascinating lecture on what might be called mitochondrial psychobiology—the study of the relationship between mitochondria and our psychological and emotional states.

Mitochondria are tiny structures within our cells that produce energy. Although they contain the same DNA, they vary in form and function depending on whether they are found in muscle, liver, immune, heart, or brain cells. They influence the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, as well as our subjective sense of well-being. At the same time, our emotional states also affect our mitochondria. In other words, the relationship is bidirectional: mitochondrial function can influence how we feel, while stress, meditation, exercise, and other experiences can affect how our mitochondria function.

Professor Kim explained this relationship through the concept of allostasis. Unlike homeostasis, which refers to maintaining a fixed state, allostasis means maintaining balance through change. Our bodies do not have one ideal condition that remains constant. The appropriate body temperature, hormone level, and energy demand continually change depending on whether we are sleeping, exercising, growing, or responding to stress.

When this flexible balance is disrupted, we may experience discomfort, pain, fatigue, or negative emotions. Chronic stress places a heavy burden on the mitochondria and activates the immune system, contributing to chronic inflammation. This may help explain why prolonged stress can reduce our energy, weaken the body, and accelerate aspects of aging.

Rather than looking for a particular food or supplement to solve these problems, Professor Kim emphasized two evidence-based ways to support mitochondrial health: getting enough restorative sleep and doing regular Zone 2 exercise. His message was refreshingly practical: sleep well tonight, get up tomorrow morning, and go for a Zone 2 run.

Another concept that deeply interested me was mitoception, which refers to the ways in which mitochondrial activity may be sensed and connected to our internal experience. This idea is related to interoception—awareness of sensations arising from within the body—and proprioception—awareness of the position, movement, speed, and load of our limbs.

These forms of bodily awareness are at the heart of meditation. When we practise breathing meditation, for example, we are not observing the breath as an abstract object. We are noticing the physical sensations created by breathing: the movement of the abdomen, the expansion of the chest, and the feeling of air entering and leaving the body.

Movement meditation combines three kinds of awareness: internal bodily sensations, the position and movement of the body, and the intention behind each movement. Tai Chi is especially effective for cultivating all three at once. Once we become familiar with this quality of awareness, however, we can bring it into yoga, strength training, swimming, walking, and even running. Any movement can become meditative when it is performed with attention, intention, and an awareness of the whole body.

Professor Kim also introduced a long-term cohort study in which researchers examined donated brain tissue after following participants throughout their lives. The findings showed an association between a strong sense of purpose, close relationships, greater well-being, and more efficient mitochondrial energy production in a region of the prefrontal cortex related to attention, perseverance, and self-regulation. Although this does not by itself prove cause and effect, it offers an intriguing biological connection between psychological well-being, relationships, brain function, and cognitive health.

This lecture helped me see that sleep, exercise, meditation, emotional regulation, meaningful relationships, and a sense of purpose are not separate matters. They are deeply interconnected through the body’s energy systems. Caring for our mitochondria may therefore mean much more than preserving physical energy. It may also mean cultivating awareness, moving regularly, sleeping deeply, building healthy relationships, and living with purpose.

Mitochondria, Movement, and Meditation

During our INZEUM training retreat in August, Professor Kim Joo-hwan gave a fascinating lecture on what might be called mitochondrial psychobiology—the study of the relationship between mitochondria and our psychological and emotional states.Mitochondria are tiny structures within our cells that produce energy. Although they contain the same DNA, they vary in form and function depending on whether they are found in muscle, liver, immune, heart, or brain cells. They influence the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, as well as our subjective sense of well-being. At the same time, our emotional states also affect our mitochondria. In other words, the relationship is bidirectional: mitochondrial function can influence how we feel, while stress, meditation, exercise, and other experiences can affect how our mitochondria function.Professor Kim explained this relationship through the concept of allostasis. Unlike homeostasis, which refers to maintaining a fixed state, allostasis means maintaining balance through change. Our bodies do not have one ideal condition that remains constant. The appropriate body temperature, hormone level, and energy demand continually change depending on whether we are sleeping, exercising, growing, or responding to stress.When this flexible balance is disrupted, we may experience discomfort, pain, fatigue, or negative emotions. Chronic stress places a heavy burden on the mitochondria and activates the immune system, contributing to chronic inflammation. This may help explain why prolonged stress can reduce our energy, weaken the body, and accelerate aspects of aging.Rather than looking for a particular food or supplement to solve these problems, Professor Kim emphasized two evidence-based ways to support mitochondrial health: getting enough restorative sleep and doing regular Zone 2 exercise. His message was refreshingly practical: sleep well tonight, get up tomorrow morning, and go for a Zone 2 run.Another concept that deeply interested me was mitoception, which refers to the ways in which mitochondrial activity may be sensed and connected to our internal experience. This idea is related to interoception—awareness of sensations arising from within the body—and proprioception—awareness of the position, movement, speed, and load of our limbs.These forms of bodily awareness are at the heart of meditation. When we practise breathing meditation, for example, we are not observing the breath as an abstract object. We are noticing the physical sensations created by breathing: the movement of the abdomen, the expansion of the chest, and the feeling of air entering and leaving the body.Movement meditation combines three kinds of awareness: internal bodily sensations, the position and movement of the body, and the intention behind each movement. Tai Chi is especially effective for cultivating all three at once. Once we become familiar with this quality of awareness, however, we can bring it into yoga, strength training, swimming, walking, and even running. Any movement can become meditative when it is performed with attention, intention, and an awareness of the whole body.Professor Kim also introduced a long-term cohort study in which researchers examined donated brain tissue after following participants throughout their lives. The findings showed an association between a strong sense of purpose, close relationships, greater well-being, and more efficient mitochondrial energy production in a region of the prefrontal cortex related to attention, perseverance, and self-regulation. Although this does not by itself prove cause and effect, it offers an intriguing biological connection between psychological well-being, relationships, brain function, and cognitive health.

This lecture helped me see that sleep, exercise, meditation, emotional regulation, meaningful relationships, and a sense of purpose are not separate matters. They are deeply interconnected through the body’s energy systems. Caring for our mitochondria may therefore mean much more than preserving physical energy. It may also mean cultivating awareness, moving regularly, sleeping deeply, building healthy relationships, and living with purpose.