The Research

What are some of the specific potential benefits?

The ability of western science to measure positive physiological changes due to meditation has increased its acceptance into the mainstream of health care. It is established that meditation (and/or imagery) causes at least 20 positive changes in the body.

These include:

  • Improves respiration efficiency (respiration lowers to a degree ordinarily reached only after 7 hours of sleep)
  • Increases alpha and theta brainwaves associated with deep rest in the body
  • Lowers heart rate
  • Lowers concentrations of blood lactate (associated with anxiety)
  • Improves breathing patterns of patients with bronchial asthma
  • Lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients
  • Lowers premature ventricular contractions in patients with heart disease
  • Lowers symptoms of angina pectoris
  • Lowers serum cholesterol levels
  • Lowers sleep onset insomnia
  • Reduces stuttering
  • Reduces blood sugar levels in diabetic patients
  • Reduces psoriasis
  • Reduces salivary bacteria
  • Reduces coronary-prone behaviors
  • Reduces central nervous system responsivity to norepinephrine
  • Reduces irritability associated with brain injury
  • Increases autonomic stability during mental tasks
  • Increases stability and efficiency of endocrine functions

Mentally, meditation

  • Reduces distracted attention and increases peaceful awareness
  • Reduces the negative mental states of inner criticism and worry
  • Increases memory and mental focus
  • Increases calm centeredness
  • Increases objectivity
  • Accesses a body of inner wisdom that is far beyond the capacity of rational thought.

Emotionally, meditation

  • Reduces fight/flight reactivity (review the physiological list for specifics)
  • Reduces the physiological shifts that lead to emotional unease
  • Reduces death anxiety and related anxiety issues
  • Increases our ability to notice our emotions
  • Increases inner peace
  • Increase contact with our innate love of life

Spiritually, meditation

  • Reduces self-centered separation
  • Increases unity with all of life
  • Activates transpersonal and creative experiences
  • Accesses "pure consciousness," an experience state recognized in the Eastern traditions as the beginning of enlightenment
To learn more about the verified benefits of meditation, visit the National Institutes of Health website (nccam.nih.gov) and search "Mind-Body Medicine."
© 2009 Huntington Meditation and Imagery Center, Inc. | Our center’s symbol, the white rose, is by photographer Lynda Perrone
website by zerojack.com | (report a problem)