Elevated serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) and TM-Sidhi programs.
J L Glaser, J L Brind, J H Vogelman, M J Eisner, Michael C. Dillbeck, R K Wallace, D Chopra, N Orentreich
Journal of behavioral medicine August 1992 DOI: 10.1007/bf00844726 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional comparison Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,675 |
| Population | Experienced practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs and nonmeditators |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | TM practitioners had higher serum DHEA-S levels than nonmeditators in all female age groups and in most male age groups over 40, with levels comparable to nonmeditators 5 to 10 years younger. The effect was independent of diet, body mass index, and exercise. |
Abstract
Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels were measured in 270 men and 153 women who were experienced practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) and TM-Sidhi programs, mental techniques practiced twice daily, sitting quietly with the eyes closed. These were compared according to sex and 5-year age grouping to 799 male and 453 female nonmeditators. The mean DHEA-S levels in the TM group were higher in all 11 of the age groups measured in women and in 6 of 7 5-year age groups over 40 in men. There were no systematic differences in younger men. Simple regression using TM-group data revealed that this effect was independent of diet, body mass index, and exercise. The mean TM-group levels measured in all women and in the older men were generally comparable to those of nonmeditator groups 5 to 10 years younger. These findings suggest that some characteristics of TM practitioners are modifying the age-related deterioration in DHEA-S secretion by the adrenal cortex.