The biological dimensions of transcendent states: A randomized controlled trial.
Dawson Church, Amy Yang, Jeffrey Fannin, Katharina Blickheuser
Front Psychol September 8, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.928123 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 513 |
| Population | Attendees at a 4-day guided meditation workshop |
| Intervention | guided meditation workshop |
| Duration | 4-day intervention, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Brain science Neurobiology Brain research Cognitive neuroscience Spiritual experiences Transcendent states Profound experiences Mystical experiences Consciousness Deep meditation Contemplative practices Spiritual practices Physiology Biological basis Bodily functions Human biology Bodily systems Biological signature |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Meditation led to a 49.5% increase in salivary immunoglobulin-A, brainwave changes indicating stress reduction, and improvements in psychological symptoms including PTSD, with benefits persisting at six months. |
Abstract
This study evaluated the biological dimension of meditation and self-transcendent states. A convenience sample of 513 participants was drawn from attendees at a 4-day guided meditation workshop. Half were randomly assigned to an active placebo control intervention. All were assessed on a variety of measures, both psychological [anxiety, pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), positive emotions, and transcendent states], and physiological (physical functioning). Additional biological assessments including salivary immunoglobulin-A (SIgA), cortisol, and Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) were obtained from subset of the Experimental group ( N = 117). No significant difference in psychological symptoms or positive emotions was observed between Experimental and placebo groups at baseline. At post-test, significant improvements were noted in the Experimental group, including a 49.5% median increase in SIgA ( p = 0.01), though cortisol remained unchanged. qEEG z-score analysis identified sustained stress reduction, including delta frequency band amplitude increases, high beta decreases, and faster acquisition of sustained alpha states (all p < 0.001). Psychological symptoms also improved on all measures. At 6-month follow-up ( N = 140), PTSD and somatic symptoms significantly improved from baseline, and post-test versus 6-month follow-up results indicated significant increases in happiness and spiritual and physical oneness, along with decreases in depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that autonomic self-regulation and transcendent states may be measured in both biological and psychological dimensions and are associated with pervasive health benefits.