Psychosomatic Medicine
May 1, 1984
Kheireddine Badawi, Robert K. Wallace, David W. Orme‐johnson et al.
91 citations
During the Transcendental Meditation program, 18 practitioners showed 52 periods of spontaneous respiratory suspension (RS) that sometimes corresponded to experiences of pure consciousness. In 19 artifact-free RS periods from 11 subjects, mean total EEG coherence across all frequencies and nine electrode derivations increased significantly compared to before and after the RS periods. A control group of 30 subjects voluntarily holding their breath showed no significant change in EEG coherence. Heart rate decreased significantly during RS in both groups, while EEG alpha power did not change significantly in either group. These results help characterize the physiological correlates of pure consciousness during the Transcendental Meditation program.
Current Hypertension Reviews
October 1, 2012
Vernon A. Barnes, David W. Orme‐johnson
87 citations
Stress is thought to worsen the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. The Transcendental Meditation technique produces both immediate and long-term reductions in sympathetic nervous system activity and stress reactivity. In adolescents at risk for hypertension, it lowers resting and ambulatory blood pressure, reduces left ventricular mass and cardiovascular reactivity, and improves school behavior. In adults with mild or moderate essential hypertension, it decreases blood pressure and the need for anti-hypertensive medication. It also reduces symptoms of angina and carotid atherosclerosis, lowers cardiovascular risk factors like alcohol and tobacco use, decreases medical care utilization for cardiovascular diseases, and significantly lowers cardiovascular and all-cause illness and death.
International Journal of the Addictions
January 1, 1991
Paul Gelderloos, Kenneth G. Walton, David W. Orme‐johnson et al.
81 citations
A review of 24 studies on Transcendental Meditation (TM) for treating and preventing substance misuse found positive effects across all studies, including those with noninstitutionalized users, treatment program participants, and prisoners with heavy use histories. While some survey studies could not exclude self-selection or responder biases, longitudinal random-assignment studies with objective measures also showed positive results. The evidence indicates TM addresses multiple factors underlying chemical dependence, offering immediate distress relief and long-term improvements in well-being, self-esteem, personal empowerment, and psychophysiological health.