Taking a Closer Look at Health Benefits of Meditation

Meditation research has come a long way since the first scientific study on meditation was published in a peer-reviewed journal in 1971 [1]. That study declared the discovery of a major fourth state of consciousness— the state of restful alertness — experienced during the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique.

Now there are over 1,000 published studies on various meditation practices, with over 600 studies on the TM technique alone. Many universities, medical schools and hospitals offer classes in mind-body medicine and provide training in meditation.

Nevertheless, recent press reports about a scientific review [2] published in JAMA Internal Medicine (January 2014) raised questions about the extent of health benefits that can be claimed for meditation. While the review has been criticized as too narrowly focused to represent the current state of meditation research — it excluded many major studies and randomized clinical trials — there is an upside: The JAMA review may prompt health professionals to look closer at meditation and discover how far the research has actually come at verifying the health benefits and specific effects of different practices.

One meditation researcher, the physician and author Robert Schneider, M.D., FACC, is currently touring universities and medical schools across the U.S. to update health scientists, physicians and students about the latest meditation research and the role of meditation in stress reduction and the prevention and treatment of heart disease. (MORE)

Source: Pysch Central

Exercise, Meditation May Ease Need For Medication

Two reports show how exercise and meditation may control problems that are normally taken care of by medication.
Researchers from the University of Texas evaluated 80 patients with mild to moderate depression. The patients were placed in five groups.
Four of the groups exercised at various levels of intensity, while another group didn’t exercise at all.
At the end of 12 weeks, the researchers found dramatic differences in those in the higher exercise groups.
Those exercising on a treadmill three times a week or more for 30 minutes or more had a 50 percent reduction in their depressive symptoms.
The groups that didn’t exercise at all, or only mildly exercised, saw a 29 percent reduction in their symptoms.
A second study looked at the effects of meditation on high blood pressure.
In the study, 140 men and women with high blood pressure were placed in a group that performed transcendental medication, progressive muscle relaxation or education classes.
After one year, The TM group showed the best lowering of blood pressure compared to the other two groups. Additionally, there was a 23 percent reduction in hypertension medication compared to control groups.

Source: Tele-Management

Study Suggests Health Benefits From Meditation

Breathe in. Hold. Release. Repeat.

Do you feel calmer?

Some students have turned to meditation as a useful way to help study for finals and focus their attention.

Kylie Contreary picked up meditation and yoga at the beginning of the year to help her cope with an increased workload and the stress of starting college.

The first-year English student now repeats a meditative breathing exercise three times a week to help her focus for her upcoming finals and papers.

“Usually, if I’m stumped with a paper and my thoughts just aren’t happening, I’ll sit down and work on trying to clear my head,” Contreary said. “Once I do that I start to organize and I can write more smoothly.”

Regular meditation is a good way not only to focus your thoughts but also to increase attention span and promote a sense of calmness and relaxation, said Andrea Wagner, a yoga and meditation teacher at the John Wooden Athletic Center.

Wagner started the meditation class at the Wooden Center a year and a half ago after finishing her training, and since then she has implemented a variety of methods to help students to focus. (MORE)

Source: The Daily Bruin

Meditation Not Medication for Depression

Three quarters of GPs have prescribed anti-depressants even though they thought a different kind of treatment would be effective, according to a survey for a leading mental health charity

A report for The Mental Health Foundation says many patients with recurrent depression are not getting access to therapies like meditation.

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was recommended for people who suffer repeated bouts of depression by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2004. However, the report called ‘Be Mindful’ says that, five years later, only one in five GPs say they can get the treatment for their patients, and only one in 20 prescribe it regularly.

Depression facts
The Mental Health Foundation says depression affects one in 10 people and costs the economy £7.5 billion a year.

The number of prescriptions made each year for antidepressants in England has doubled in a decade to 36 million in 2008. (More)

Source: WebMD

Cure Cervical Cancer through Diet, Yoga and Meditation

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and almost 4,000 cases were fatal just last year. Conventional treatments for cervical cancer such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hysterectomy, or the removal of lymph nodes and ovaries can often leave the woman infertile. However, alternatives exist for women who seek a more holistic approach to improving their bodies' responses to cancer. Cervical cancer can be remedied in ways alternative to conventional, damaging treatments. Instead of harsh treatments that can wreak havoc on the body, a combination of yoga, meditation, and a raw vegan diet can be a much more gentle and beneficial method for healing. (More)

Source: Natural News

Meditation Decreases Risk of Death by Stroke, Heart Attack, and Death in General

A study conducted by two universities found that those who meditated saw a 47% decrease in strokes, heart attacks, and death. Two groups of African Americans were followed for nine years. One group practiced traditional methods such diet and exercise to reduce the risks of heart disease. Incidences of stroke, heart attack, or death occurred 31 times.

It is not known if the participants who were supposed to practice traditional methods actually followed the advice as given. However, the second group who practiced meditation only, twice a day for 20 minutes, had 20 incidences of stroke, heart attack, or death.

Dr. Robert Schneider, lead author of study and director of Centre for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University, stated that the meditation group had an overall reduction in blood pressure and psychological stress. (More)

Meditate to Melt Stress, Improve Health

Research shows daily attention to mind-body dynamic reduces anxiety, strengthens immune system


Newer research from the University of Wisconsin shows a meditation habit can strengthen the body's immune function, plus increase brain performance in the form of electrical activity. It validates the mind-body dynamic of meditation.

To gauge immune function, the researchers measured antibodies in the blood that fight flu and other infections.

Volunteer subjects in the study who meditated had significantly higher levels of these healthful antibodies than nonmeditators in just one to two months. In fact, it is interesting to note that participants who meditated for two months had significantly higher levels of antibodies than individuals meditating for just one month.

Results for brain-wave activity were even more amplified. The region of the brain most activated by meditation is the left frontal area associated with positive emotions and anxiety reduction. (More)

Source: Chicago Tribune

Meditation Lowers Risk of Hypertension: Study

A new study suggests that transcendental meditation technique not only cultivates an inner quiet, but also helps melt away stress, anxiety and depression in youngsters that can cause hypertension.

Dr David Haaga, co-author of the study and professor of psychology at American University in Washington, D.C. stated, "The Transcendental Meditation Program, a widely-used standardized program to reduce stress, showed significant decreases in blood pressure and improved mental health in young adults at risk for hypertension."

In an effort to evaluate the effect of transcendental meditation on psychological distress and high blood pressure in college students, the researchers enlisted 298 healthy students, with an average of 26 years, who attended universities in and around Washington D.C. (More)

Source: The Money Times

Try Meditation to Lower Your Blood Pressure and Protect Your Heart

Cheap, low-tech stress relief may also protect against depression, insomnia, and anxiety

Meditation is no longer just for the groovy folk. A just published study in the American Journal of Hypertension suggests the practice may bring cardiovascular and mental-health benefits. The research, conducted at American University in Washington, followed 298 students, half of whom practiced transcendental meditation for 20 minutes once or twice daily over three months and half of whom did not. Results: A subgroup of subjects in the meditation group who were at increased risk for hypertension significantly lowered their blood pressure and psychological distress and also bolstered their coping ability. The average reduction in blood pressure in this group—a 6.3-mm Hg decrease in the top (systolic) number of a blood pressure reading and a 4-mm Hg decrease in the lower (diastolic) number, compared with the control group—was associated with a 52 percent reduction in the risk of developing hypertension in the future. (More)

Source: US News and World Report

Meditation 'Cuts Risk of Heart Attack by Half'

Meditation is good for the body as well as the mind, scientists have discovered, as the practice significantly reduces the risk of a heart attack for people with heart disease.

Patients with heart disease who practised Transcendental Meditation cut their chances of a heart attack, stroke and death by half, compared with non-meditating patients, the first study of its kind has found.

Stress is a major factor in heart disease and meditation experts say the technique can help control it.

Transcendental Meditation, practised by the Beatles and based on an ancient tradition of enlightenment in India, involves sitting quietly and concentrating to focus the mind inwards by silently repeating a mantra. The practice is said to induce inner peace by allowing thoughts to flow in and out of the mind. (More)

Source: The Telegraph

Brief Training in Meditation Eases Pain

Study Shows Just an Hour of Meditation Training Brings Results in Pain Management

A mini-course in meditation may be all it takes to assist in pain management.

A new study shows as little as an hour of mindfulness training is enough to reduce pain.

"We knew already that meditation has significant effects on pain perception in long-term practitioners whose brains seem to have been completely changed -- we didn't know that you could do this in just three days, with just 20 minutes a day," says researcher Fadel Zeidan, a doctoral candidate in psychology at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, in a news release.

"Not only did the meditation subjects feel less pain than the control group while meditating, but they also experienced less pain sensitivity while not meditating," says Zeidan.

In the study, published in the Journal of Pain, a group of 22 college students received three, 20-minute mindfulness training sessions over the course of three days. (More)

Source: WebMD.com

In Pain? Just Say 'Om'

Women undergoing natural childbirth have long endorsed the concept that you can think your way past the pain. Using meditation or guided imagery, it's possible to transcend pain, at least to some degree.

Two new studies provide more evidence that something as simple as thinking about a pretty image can help with mild pain. In one study, researchers at the University of Montreal gave 13 study participants mildly painful electric shocks which caused a knee-jerk reaction that could be measured by magnetic resonance imaging. During the shocks, participants were shown a series of images that were pleasant (such as water-skiing in summer), vicious (a bear) or neutral (a book). They found that the pain of the shocks was perceived as being worse when people were looking at unpleasant pictures. The study was published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (More)

Source: LA Times

Transcendental Meditation Helps Breast Cancer Patients

The Transcendental Meditation technique can help reduces stress and improves mental health and emotional well-being among women with breast cancer, says a new study.

The study, "A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Transcendental Meditation on Quality of Life in Older Breast Cancer Patients", has been published in the current issue of the peer-reviewed Integrative Cancer Therapies.

"It is wonderful that physicians now have a range of interventions to use, including Transcendental Meditation, to benefit their patients with cancer," said Rhoda Pomerantz, M.D., study co-author and chief of gerontology, Saint Joseph Hospital.

"I believe this approach should be appreciated and utilized more widely,” the expert added.

One hundred thirty women with breast cancer, 55 years and older, participated in the two-year study at Saint Joseph Hospital. The women were randomly assigned to either the Transcendental Meditation technique or to a usual care control group. Patients were administered quality of life measures, including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), every six months for two years. The average intervention period was 18 months. (More)

Source: Times of India

Meditation Can Change Minds

Richard Davidson, one of the world's top brain scientists, believes mental exercise, specifically meditation, can literally change our minds.

"Our data shows mental practice can induce long-lasting changes in the brain," said Davidson, professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

His startling scientific research on the impact of meditation on brain function has implications that go beyond the physical.

Buddhist monks believe mental attributes and positive emotions such as compassion, loving, kindness and empathy are skills that can be cultivated.

And science is beginning to back that up.

Davidson started meditating in 1974, when he was a PhD student at Harvard. He became excited about the possibility of applying rigorous scientific study to the practice of meditation.

Davidson began an ongoing study of the brains of Buddhist monks, the so-called "Olympians" of meditation, each of whom had accomplished at least 10,000 hours of meditation. (More)

Source: canada.com

Meditation - Take a Breath and Begin

Meditation is truly a medicinal act for the mind and body. More and more people are aware of it since the practice of yoga has become more wide spread. Although many think of the cross legged position when doing mediation there are several poses one can use in order to achieve a meditative state. One way to think if meditation is as a conscious relaxation . A chosen preparation to relax the mind and allow for the process to begin.

Some beginner keys to focus your efforts on are:
1. Deep breathing
2. Relaxation
3. Committing a minimum amount of time to doing it everyday.


Benefits:
1. Relieves Stress
2. Helps Constipation
3. Speed Healing
4. Can Help Cure Insomnia
5. Helps to Calm, Lessen Anxiety (More)

Source: Chicago Now

Health: Mental Exercise Like Meditation Can Literally Change Our Minds

Richard Davidson, one of the world’s top brain scientists, believes mental exercise, specifically meditation, can literally change our minds.

“Our data shows mental practice can induce long-lasting changes in the brain,” said Davidson, professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

His startling scientific research on the impact of meditation on brain function has implications that go beyond the physical.

Buddhist monks believe mental attributes and positive emotions such as compassion, loving kindness and empathy are skills that can be cultivated.

Science is beginning to back that up.

Davidson started meditating in 1974, when he was a Phd student at Harvard. Back then, meditation was seen as a somewhat faddish eastern import right up there with the dashiki and the Jesus sandal. (More)

Source: Vancouver Sun

Meditation: Effective New Aid Ffor Students With ADHD

A panel of physicians and scientists will report on the benefits of a simple meditation practice for aiding students diagnosed with ADHD during a national medical webinar, which will be hosted by the David Lynch Foundation on Wednesday, September 30, 12 noon (ET).

The webinar, which comes on the final day of National ADHD Public Awareness Month, will report on published research on the effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique for improving academic achievement and executive brain function while reducing learning disorders, anxiety, depression, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease. (More)

Source: psyorg.com

Meditation Can Keep BP Under Control

Meditation is not only a stress buster, it also helps in regulating high blood pressure with an added benefit of bypassing possible side effects and hazards of anti-hypertension drugs, says a new study.

In the new meta-analysis, researchers from University of Kentucky conducted nine randomized, controlled trials with Transcendental Meditation as a primary intervention for hypertensive patients.

The findings revealed that practicing Transcendental Meditation led to approximate reduction of 4.7 mm systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mm diastolic blood pressure. (More)

Source: pakwatan.com

Mindfulness and Meditation can Help Relieve Stress

Mindfulness and meditation can help relieve stress

Technology has enhanced life beyond all wild expectations, but many people have a hard time ‘unplugging’ from the information overload in order to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Missing a call, text or email seems like it would be catastrophic; what did people do before cell phones?

A perfect way to unwind, de-stress and disconnect is through cultivating a mindfulness practice. (More)

Source: The Examiner

Meditation to Beat Stress!

Twenty-seven-year-old software professional Ashish Bamzai, 27, couldn't enjoy his own wedding because at the back of his mind was the fear of losing his job.

"Everyone around me was happy and smiling. I just couldn't fake a smile as there was tension lingering at the back of my mind. I had this fear of my company giving me the pink slip. Ever since the downturn has hit the markets, all software professionals are uncertain about their jobs and I am one of them," Bamzai said.

To get rid of this constant fear, Bamzai participated in a workshop at the Chennai-based Oneness University that deals in promoting holistic living to counter stress and it worked wonders for him. Now he has learnt to stay calm and composed even in adverse conditions. (More)

Source: Times of India