UW to Study Effects of Meditation, Yoga on Veterans' Stress

In the seven years since he finished his stint in the U.S. Navy, Todd Dennis has rarely slept well.

Though never diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, he's struggled with some of the symptoms, including insomnia and feelings of anger.

Dennis says those symptoms have eased since February, when he began practicing yoga and meditation techniques he learned through the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Investigating Healthy Minds.

Beginning this fall, the center will apply the tools of neuroscience - including brain imaging - in studies to determine what if any effect such contemplative practices have on veterans with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.

"We'll be looking at whether they make an impact in their lives, their overall function, their sense of well-being," said Emma Seppala, a psychologist and research associate, who will oversee the research, some of the first of its kind. (MORE)

Source: JS Online.com