Stress negatively impacts our health, contributing to insomnia, high blood pressure, heart disease, weakened immune function, and many other disorders. By eliminating stress, the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique improves physical well-being: promoting healthier heart function, better sleep, and more energy.
– Mario Orsatti, certified TM teacher
Hundreds of scientific, peer-reviewed studies have validated a wide range of benefits. Just 20 minutes of TM practice twice a day can provide long-lasting improvements to overall health and well-being.
Here are some examples of the proven benefits of regular TM practice:
– Fred Travis, Ph.D., psychologist and professor
TM practice significantly reduces the level of stress-related hormones including cortisol, which affects a large number of areas in life, particularly our quality of sleep.
Practicing the TM technique also results in the increase of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood and sleep-wake cycles. Healthy levels of serotonin promote restful sleep, which enhances overall well-being and resilience to illnesses.
This improvement in sleep quality not only helps combat fatigue but also supports better emotional regulation, leading to a more stable mood throughout the day.
Research has shown that TM practice promotes a healthier heart and lowers the risk of cardiovascular issues. Regular practice significantly reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol while improving insulin resistance.
Through relaxation and reduced stress, the TM technique helps to prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries, which is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the calming effects of TM practice support better circulation, further reducing the risk of stroke.
A field study compared five years of medical utilization of 2,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield members who practiced the TM technique, compared to a normative data set of approximately 600,000 members of the same insurance carrier. The benefits, deductibles, coinsurance terms, and distribution by gender of the TM practice group were very similar to the norm.
Yet, the TM practice group had lower medical utilization rates in all categories. Hospitalization inpatient days were down by 50% vs the norm for children and young adults, and 69% fewer for adults aged 40+. Outpatient visits per 1000 for the same age categories were, respectively, 46.8%, 54.7%, and 73.7% fewer.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 48% of adults have high blood pressure (hypertension) and only a quarter of those have it under control. Substantial evidence indicates that psychosocial stress contributes to hypertension.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from 107 published studies on stress reduction and high blood pressure found that TM practice is associated with significant reductions in blood pressure. Other methods of meditation and relaxation, biofeedback, and stress management did not produce significant effects.
– watch the video with Dr. Susan Steinbaum, Lennox Hill Hospital, in partnership with the David Lynch Foundation
TM practice & employees: Reduced anxiety, job tension, insomnia, fatigue; improved health, employee effectiveness, job satisfaction, relationships.
Alexander, Charles N., Gerald C. Swanson, Maxwell Rainforth, Tom W. Carlisle, Christopher C. Todd and Robert M. Oates.
“Effects of the transcendental meditation programme on stress reduction, health, and employee development: A prospective study in two occupational settings.” Anxiety Stress and Coping 6 (1993): 245-262.
TM & African Americans with coronary heart disease: 48% risk reduction in the composite of mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke.
Schneider RH, Grim CE, Rainforth MV, Kotchen T, Nidich SI, Gaylord-King C, Salerno JW, Kotchen JM, Alexander CN
Stress reduction in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: randomized, controlled trial of transcendental meditation and health education in Blacks. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2012 Nov;5(6):750-8.
TM & health care use: 50% fewer doctor visits & hospital days vs. control over 5 years. Little increase in health care needs as age increases.
Orme-Johnson, D.
Medical care utilization and the transcendental meditation programme.. Psychosomatic Medicine 49(5):p 493-507, September 1987.
Meta-analysis of 17 controlled studies. TM & high blood pressure: Significant clinical & statistical reductions in blood pressure by 5.0/2.8 mmHg.
Rainforth MV, Schneider RH, Nidich SI, Gaylord-King C, Salerno JW, Anderson JW.
Stress reduction programmes in patients with elevated blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2007 Dec;9(6):520-8.
TM practice & aging: TM and TM-Sidhi practice resulted in 5 years and long-term practice 12 years younger biological age than the general population.
Wallace RK, Dillbeck M, Jacobe E, Harrington B.
The effects of the transcendental meditation and TM-Sidhi programme on the aging process. Int J Neurosci. 1982 Feb;16(1):53-8
TM produced highly significant increases in serotonin (rest and happiness) and lower adrenaline (decreased fight or flight response) vs. control.
Bujatti, M., Biederer, P.
Serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine metabolites in transcendental meditation-technique. J. Neural Transmission 39, 257–267 (1976).
TM produced highly significant increases in serotonin (rest and happiness) and lower adrenaline (decreased fight or flight response) vs. control.
Bujatti, M., Biederer, P.
Serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine metabolites in transcendental meditation-technique. J. Neural Transmission 39, 257–267 (1976).
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