Effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation Program in Preventing and Treating Substance Misuse: A Review
Paul Gelderloos, Kenneth G. Walton, David W. Orme‐johnson, Charles N. Alexander
International Journal of the Addictions January 1, 1991 DOI: 10.3109/10826089109058887 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Noninstitutionalized users, participants in treatment programs, and prisoners with histories of heavy use |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Transcendental meditation Clinical psychology Empowerment Distress Transcendental number |
| Citations | 81 |
| Key finding | Transcendental Meditation shows positive effects on treating and preventing substance misuse across multiple study designs. |
Abstract
This article reviews 24 studies on the benefits of Transcendental Meditation (TM) in treating and preventing misuse of chemical substances. Studies cover noninstitutionalized users, participants in treatment programs, and prisoners with histories of heavy use. All the studies showed positive effects of the TM program. Some of the survey-type studies were unable to exclude the possibility of self-selection or responder biases. However, longitudinal, random-assignment studies with objective measures also showed positive results. Taken together, these and other studies indicate the program simultaneously addresses several factors underlying chemical dependence, providing not only immediate relief from distress but also long-range improvements in well-being, self-esteem, personal empowerment, and other areas of psychophysiological health.