Evaluation of Transcendental Meditation as a Method of Reducing Stress
Ruth R. Michaels, M. J. Huber, Daisy S. McCann
Science June 18, 1976 DOI: 10.1126/science.775639 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study with matched controls Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Volunteers practicing transcendental meditation and matched controls |
| Intervention | Transcendental meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 95 |
| Key findings | Meditation does not induce a unique metabolic state but is seen biochemically as a resting state. |
Abstract
Transcendental meditation is said to induce in its practitioners an altered state of consciousness resulting in relief of stress, an increased sense of awareness, and a sense of well-being. Release of catecholamines has been associated widely with stress and lends itself to quantitation. Plasma epinephrine and norephinephrine, as well as lactate, were measured in 12 volunteers before, during, and after meditation. Values were compared with those obtained from controls matched for sex and age who rested instead of meditating. Essentially the same results were obtained for the two groups, which suggests that meditation does not induce a unique metabolic state but is seen biochemically as a resting state.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Brain-Heart Interactions Underlying Traditional Tibetan Buddhist Meditation. Cerebral Cortex March 21, 2020
- Psychology's own mindfulness: Ellen Langer and the social politics of scientific interest in "active noticing". Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences June 3, 2019
- Psychosocial stress and cardiovascular disease Part 2: effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program in treatment and prevention. Behavioral Medicine 2002
- Acute increases in night-time plasma melatonin levels following a period of meditation. Biological Psychology May 1, 2000
- The physiology of meditation: a review. A wakeful hypometabolic integrated response. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 1992
and 8 more in the library