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DAVID LYNCH

FOUNDATION

AUSTRALIA 

Hundreds of scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation program at more than 200 independent universities and research institutions worldwide over the past 40 years. The National Institutes of Health in the US have awarded over $38 million to research the effectiveness of TM for reducing stress and stress-related illness with a focus on cardiovascular disease. Findings have been published in leading, peer-reviewed scientific journals, including The American Journal of Cardiology and the American Heart Association’s Hypertension and Stroke.

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In Australia we work with Melbourne University’s Phoenix Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health, Southern Cross University, Newcastle University, and the University of South Australia.
 
The TM technique's benefits start right away and keep growing. 

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Hundreds of independent research studies have found major increases in calmness, creativity, energy, clarity of mind, and happiness.

51%

Reduction in trauma symptoms

42%

Reduction in depression

70%

Before learning TM, 65% of veterans in a randomized control study had PCL scores consistent with a provisional PTSD diagnosis. Of those who completed the 1-month post-test, approximately 70% were no longer in that range.

40%

Before learning TM, 88% of veterans in a randomized control study has CES_D scores that put them at risk of clinical depression. Of those who completed the 1-month post-test, approximately 40% no longer scored at risk.

52%

of veterans experience reduced irritable behaviour, angry outbursts, and acting aggressively.

50%

of veterans experienced a decrease in feeling distant or cut off from other people.

95%

of TM meditating veterans reported less stress.

86%

of TM meditating veterans report less anger.

85%

of veterans feel more in control of their lives after learning TM

89%

of TM meditating veterans report improved relationships with family and friends.

79%

of meditating veterans reported improved sleep.

83.7%

of veterans stabilised, decreased, or ceased use of psychotropic medications after one month of TM practice’- Military Medicine

Research Summary

Accreditation

Supporting organisations

RESEARCH ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

STRESS AND ANXIETY RESEARCH

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BRAIN FUNCTION RESEARCH

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  • Alexander CN, Kurth SC, Travis F, Alexander VK. Effect of practice of the children’s Transcendental Meditation technique on cognitive stage development: acquisition and consolidation of conservation. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 2005 17(1):21-46

  • Arenander A, Travis FT. Brain patterns of Self-awareness. In B Beitman, J Nair (eds), Self-Awareness Deficits. New York: WW Norton, 2004

  • Dixon C, Dillbeck MC, Travis F, Msemaje H, Clayborne BM, Dillbeck SL, Alexander CN. Accelerating cognitive and self development: longitudinal studies with preschool and elementary school children. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 2005 17(1):65-91

  • Harung H, Travis F, Blank W, Heaton D. Higher development, brain integration, and excellence in leadership. Management Decision 2009 47(6):872-894

  • Heaton D, Harung HS. Awakening creative intelligence and peak performance: reviving an Asian tradition. Chapter in J Kidd et al. (eds), Human Intelligence Deployment in Asian Business. London: Macmillan, and New York: St. Martin's Press, 2001

  • Hebert JR, Lehmann D, Tan G, Travis FT, Arenander A. Enhanced EEG alpha time-domain phase synchrony during Transcendental Meditation: implications for cortical integration theory. Signal Processing 2005 85(11):2213-2232

  • Mahone MC, Travis F, Gevirtz R, Hubbard D. fMRI during Transcendental Meditation practice. Brain and Cognition 2018 123:30-33. doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2018.02.011 <http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2018.02.011>

  • Nidich SI, Schneider RH, Nidich RJ, Foster G, Sharma H, Salerno J, Goodman R, Alexander CN. Effect of the Transcendental Meditation program on intellectual development in community-dwelling older adults.  Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 2005 17(1):217-226

  • So KT, Orme-Johnson DW. Three randomized experiments on the holistic longitudinal effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on cognition. Intelligence 2001 29(5):419-440

  • Sridevi K, Krishna Rao PV. Temporal effects of meditation on cognitive style. Journal of Indian Psychology2003 21:38-51

  • Travis F. Brain functioning as the ground for spiritual experiences and ethical behavior. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 2009 78(5):26-32

  • Travis FT. Autonomic and EEG patterns distinguish transcending from other experiences during Transcendental Meditation practice. International Journal of Psychophysiology 2001 42(1):1-9

  • Travis FT, Arenander A. Cross-sectional and longitudinal study of effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on interhemispheric frontal asymmetry and frontal coherence. International Journal of Neuroscience 2006 116(12):1519-38

  • Travis FT, Arenander A, DuBois D. Psychological and physiological characteristics of a proposed object-referral/self-referral continuum of self-awareness. Consciousness and Cognition 2004 13(2):401-420

  • Travis FT, Brown S. My brain made me do it: brain maturation and levels of self-development. In AH Pfaffenberger, PW Marko, T Greening (eds), The Postconventional Personality: Perspectives on Higher Development (pp. 23-38). New York: SUNY Press, 2011

  • Travis F, Grosswald S, Stixrud W. ADHD, brain functioning, and Transcendental Meditation practice. Mind & Brain, The Journal of Psychiatry 2011 2(1):73-81

  • Travis FT, Haaga DH, Hagelin JS, Tanner M, Arenander A, Nidich S, Gaylord-King C, Grosswald S, Rainforth M, Schneider RH. A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and the Transcendental Meditation practice. Cognitive Processing 2010 11(1):21-30

  • Travis F, Haaga DA, Hagelin J, Tanner M, Nidich S, Gaylord-King C, Grosswald S, Rainforth M, Schneider RH. Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning and stress reactivity in college students. International Journal of Psychophysiology 2009 71(2):170-176

  • Travis F, Parim N. Default mode network activation and Transcendental Meditation practice: focused attention or automatic self-transcending? Brain and Cognition 2017 111 :86-94 .  doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2016.08.009

  • Travis FT, Tecce J, Arenander A, Wallace RK. Patterns of EEG coherence, power and contingent negative variation characterize the integration of transcendental and waking states. Biological Psychology 2002 61(3):293-319

  • Travis FT, Tecce JJ, Guttman J. Cortical plasticity, contingent negative variation, and transcendent experiences during practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique. Biological Psychology 2000 55(1):41-55

  • Travis F, Valosek L, Konrad IV A, Link J, Salerno J, Scheller R, Nidich S. Effect of meditation on psychological distress and brain functioning: a randomized controlled study. Brain and Cognition 2018 125:100-105. doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2018.03.011 <http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2018.03.011>

  • Warner TQ. Awareness and cognition: the role of awareness training in child development. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 2005 17(1):47-64

  • Yamamoto S, Kitamura Y, Yamada N, Nakashima Y, Kuroda S. Medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex in the generation of alpha activity induced by Transcendental Meditation: a magnetoencephalographic study. Acta Medica Okayama 2006 60(1):51-58

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  • Anderson JW, Liu C, Kryscio RJ. Blood pressure response to Transcendental Meditation: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Hypertension 2008 21(3):310-316

  • Bai Z, Chang J, Chen C, Li P, Yang K, Chi I. Investigating the effect of transcendental meditation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Human Hypertension 2015 29 :653 – 662.

  • Barnes VA, Kapuku GK, Treiber FA. Impact of Transcendental Meditation on left ventricular mass in African American adolescents. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012:923153, 1-6.

  • Barnes VA, Orme-Johnson DW. Clinical and pre-clinical applications of the Transcendental Meditation program in the prevention and treatment of essential hypertension and cardiovascular disease in youth and adults. Current Hypertension Reviews 2006 2(3):207-218

  • Barnes VA, Orme-Johnson DW. El impacto de la reduccion del estres en el hypertension esencial y las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Revista Internacional De Ciencias Del Deporte (International Journal of Sports Science) 2008 4(12):1-30

  • Barnes VA, Orme-Johnson DW. Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in adolescents and adults through the Transcendental Meditation® Program: a research review update. Current Hypertension Reviews 2012 8(3):227-242

  • Barnes VA, Schneider RH, Alexander CN, Rainforth M, Staggers F, Salerno, J. Impact of Transcendental Meditation on mortality in older African Americans with hypertension—eight-year follow-up. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 2005 17(1):201-216

  • Barnes VA, Treiber FA, Davis H. Impact of Transcendental Meditation on cardiovascular function at rest and during acute stress in adolescents with high normal blood pressure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2001 51(4):597-605

  • Barnes VA, Treiber FA, Johnson MH. Impact of stress reduction on ambulatory blood pressure in African American adolescents. American Journal of Hypertension 2004 17(4):366-369

  • Bovee JC. Effects of Transcendental Meditation on blood pressure: a literature review. Modern Psychological Studies 2006 11:1-11

  • Brook RD, Appel LJ, Rubenfire M, Ogedegbe G, Bisognano JD, Elliott WJ, Fuchs F, Hughes JW, Lackland DT, Staffileno BA, Townsend RR, Rajagopalan S. Beyond medications and diet: alternative approaches to lowering blood pressure. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension 2013 61(6):1360-1383

  • Castillo-Richmond A, Schneider RH, Alexander CN, Cook R, Myers H, Nidich S, Haney C, Rainforth M, Salerno J. Effects of stress reduction on carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive African Americans. Stroke 2000 31(3):568-573

  • Cunningham CH, Brown S, Kaski JC. The effects of Transcendental Meditation on symptoms and electrocardiographic changes in patients with cardiac syndrome X: a pilot study. American Journal of Cardiology 2000 85(5):653-655

  • Fields JZ, Walton KW, Schneider RH, Nidich SI, Pomerantz R, Suchdev P, Castillo-Richmond A, Payne K, Clark ET, Rainforth M. Effect of a multimodality natural medicine program on carotid atherosclerosis in older subjects: a pilot trial of Maharishi Vedic Medicine. American Journal of Cardiology 2002 89(8):952-958

  • Haaga DAF, Grosswald S, Gaylord-King C, Rainforth M, Tanner M, Travis F, Nidich S, Schneider RH. Effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on substance use among university students. Cardiology Research and Practice 2011 – published online at Cardiol Res Pract. 2011:537101

  • Jayadevappa R, Johnson JC, Bloom BS, Nidich S, Desai S, Chhatre S, Razian D, Schneider RH. Effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation on functional capacity and quality of life of African Americans with congestive heart failure: a randomized control study. Ethnicity and Disease 2007 17:72-77

  • King MS, Carr T, D'Cruz C. Transcendental meditation, hypertension and heart disease. Australian Family Physician 2002 31:164-168

  • Kondwani KA, Lollis CM. Is there a role for stress management in reducing hypertension in African Americans? Ethnicity and Disease 2001 11:788-792

  • Nidich S, Rainforth M, Haaga D, Hagelin J, Salerno J, Travis F, Tanner M, Gaylord-King C, Grosswald S, Schneider R. A randomized controlled trial on effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on blood pressure, psychological distress, and coping in young adults. American Journal of Hypertension 2009 22(12):1326-1331

  • Ooi SL, Giovino M, Pak SC. Transcendental meditation for lowering blood pressure: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2017 34:26-34. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229917302285

  • Orme-Johnson DW, Barnes VA, Hankey AM, Chalmers RA. Reply to critics of research on Transcendental Meditation in the prevention and control of hypertension. Journal of Hypertension 2005 23(5):1107-1108

  • Orme-Johnson DW, Barnes VA, Schneider RH. Transcendental Meditation for primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. In: R Allan, J Fisher (eds), Heart & Mind: the Practice of Cardiac Psychology, 2nd edition (pp.365-379). Washington DC: American Psychological Association, 2011

  • Paul-Labrador M, Polk D, Dwyer JH, Velasquez I, Nidich SI, Rainforth M, Schneider RH, Bairey Merz CN. Effects of a randomized controlled trial of Transcendental Meditation on components of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with coronary heart disease. Archives of Internal Medicine 2006 166(11):1218-1224

  • Rainforth MV, Schneider RH, Nidich SI, Gaylord-King C, Salerno JW, Anderson JW. Stress reduction programs in patients with elevated blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Current Hypertension Reports 2007 9(6):520-528

  • Schneider RH. Response to AHA scientific statement on alternative methods and BP: evidence for upgrading the ratings for Transcendental Meditation. Hypertension 2013 62(6):e42

  • Schneider RH, Alexander CN, Salerno J, Rainforth M, Nidich S.  Stress reduction in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in high risk underserved populations: a review of controlled research on the Transcendental Meditation program.  Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 2005 17(1):159-180

  • Schneider RH, Alexander CN, Staggers F, Orme-Johnson D, Rainforth M, Salerno J, Sheppard W, Castillo-Richmond A, Barnes VA, Nidich SI. A randomized controlled trial of stress reduction in African Americans treated for hypertension for over one year. American Journal of Hypertension 2005 18(1):88-98

  • Schneider RH, Alexander CN, Staggers F, Rainforth M, Salerno JW, Hartz A, Arndt S, Barnes VA, Nidich SI. Long-term effects of stress reduction on mortality in persons >/=55 years of age with systemic hypertension. American Journal of Cardiology 2005 95(9):1060-1064

  • Schneider RH, Carr T. Transcendental Meditation in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and pathophysiological mechanisms: an evidence-based review. Advances in Integrative Medicine (online) 2014.

  • Schneider RH, Castillo-Richmond A, Alexander CN, Myers H, Kaushik V, Aranguri C, Norris K, Haney C, Rainforth M, Calderon R, Nidich S. Behavioral treatment of hypertensive heart disease in African Americans: rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial. Behavioral Medicine 2001 27(2):83-95

  • 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. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 2012 5(6):750-758

  • Schneider RH, Nidich SI, Salerno JW. The Transcendental Meditation program: reducing the risk of heart disease and mortality and improving quality of life in African Americans. Ethnicity and Disease 2001 11:159-160

  • Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI. Cardiovascular disease prevention and health promotion with the Transcendental Meditation program and Maharishi Consciousness-Based Health Care. Ethnicity & Disease 2006 16(3) Supplement 4:15-26

  • Walton KG, Olshansky B, Helene E, Schneider RH. A pooled analysis of outcome studies with carotid intima-media thickness. Journal of Preventative Cardiology 2014 4(1):615-623

  • Walton KG, Schneider RH, Nidich SI. Review of controlled research on the Transcendental Meditation program and cardiovascular disease—risk factors, morbidity and mortality. Cardiology in Review 2004 12(5):262-266

  • Walton KG, Schneider RH, Nidich SI, Salerno JW, Nordstrom CK, Merz CN. Psychosocial stress and cardiovascular disease. Part 2: effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program in treatment and prevention. Behavioral Medicine 2002 28(3):106-123

  • Walton KG, Schneider RH, Salerno JW, Nidich SI. Psychosocial stress and cardiovascular disease. Part 3: clinical and policy implications of research on the Transcendental Meditation program. Behavioral Medicine 2005 30(4):173-183

DEPRESSION RESEARCH

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  • Barnes VA, Rigg JL, Williams JJ. Clinical case series: treatment of PTSD with Transcendental Meditation in active duty military personnel. Military Medicine, 2013 178(7):e836-40. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00426.

  • Chhatre S, Metzger DS, Frank I, Boyer J, Thompson E, Nidich S, Montaner LJ, Jayadevappa R. Effects of behavioral stress reduction Transcendental Meditation intervention in persons with HIV. AIDS Care: Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV, 2013, 25(10):1291-1297. doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2013.764396.

  • Elder C, Nidich S, Colbert R, Hagelin J, Grayshield L, Oviedo-Lim D, Nidich R, Rainforth M, Jones C, Gerace D. Reduced psychological distress in racial and ethnic minority students practicing the Transcendental Meditation Program. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 2011, 38(2):109-116.

  • Elder C, Nidich S, Moriarty F, Nidich R. Effect of Transcendental Meditation on employee stress, depression, and burnout: a randomized controlled study. The Permanente Journal, 2014, 18(1):19-23.

  • Hawkins MA. Effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program in criminal rehabilitation and substance abuse recovery: a review of the research. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 2003, 36(1-4):47-66.

  • Jayadevappa R, Johnson JC, Bloom BS, Nidich S, Desai S, Chhatre S, Razian D, Schneider RH. Effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation on functional capacity and quality of life of African Americans with congestive heart failure: a randomized control study. Ethnicity and Disease, 2007 17:72-77.

  • Nidich S, Nidich RJ, Salerno J, Hadfield B, Elder C. Stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation program in caregivers: a pilot study. International Archives of Nursing and Health Care, 2015, 1(2): 011.

  • Nidich S, O’Connor T, Rutledge T, Duncan J, Compton B, Seng A, Nidich R. Reduced trauma symptoms and perceived stress in male prison inmates through the Transcendental Meditation Program: a randomized controlled trial. The Permanente Journal, 2016, 20(4):16-007. doi.org/10.7812/TPP/16-007.

  • Nidich S, Rainforth M, Haaga D, Hagelin J, Salerno J, Travis F, Tanner M, Gaylord-King C, Grosswald S, Schneider R. A randomized controlled trial on effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on blood pressure, psychological distress, and coping in young adults. American Journal of Hypertension, 2009 22(12):1326-1331.

  • Orme-Johnson DW. The use of meditation in corrections. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2011, 55(4):662-664. doi:10.1177/0306624X10371803.

  • Walton KG, Levitsky DK. Effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on neuroendocrine abnormalities associated with aggression and crime. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 2003 36(1-4):67-88.

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CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH RESEARCH

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INSOMNIA RESEARCH

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  • Abrams AI, Siegel LM. The Transcendental Meditation program and rehabilitation at Folsom State Prison: a cross-validation study. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 1978, 5(1):3-20.

  • Alexander CN, Swanson GC, Rainforth MV, Carlisle TW, Todd CC, Oates RM. Effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on stress reduction, health, and employee development: a prospective study in two occupational settings. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 1993, 6:245-262.

  • Brooks JS, Scarano T. Transcendental Meditation in the treatment of post-Vietnam adjustment. Journal of Counseling and Development, 1985, 64:212-215.

  • Elder C, Nidich S, et al, Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Employee Burnout: A randomized controlled study. The Permanente Journal, 2014, Winter; 18(1):19-23.

  • Haratani T., et al. Effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on the health behavior of industrial workers. Japanese Journal of Public Health37 (10 Suppl.): 729, 1990.

  • Ljunggren G. The influence of Transcendental Meditation on neuroticism, use of drugs and insomnia. Lakartidningen, 1977, 74(47):4212-4214.

  • Lovell-Smith H. D. Transcendental Meditation: treating the patient as well as the disease. The New Zealand Family Physician, 9: 62-65, April 1982.

  • Nidich S, O’Connor T, Rutledge T, Duncan J, Compton B, Seng A, Nidich R. Reduced trauma symptoms and perceived stress in male prison inmates through the Transcendental Meditation Program: a randomized controlled trial. The Permanente Journal, 2016, 20(4):16-007.

  • Orme-Johnson DW & Dillbeck MC. Methodological Concerns for Meta-Analyses of Meditation: Comment on Sedlmeier et al. Psychological Bulletin,2014, 140(2):610-16.

  • Orme-Johnson D. W., et al. Meditation in the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia. In National Institutes of Health Technology Assessment Conference on Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia, Bethesda Maryland: National Institutes of Health, 1995.

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PTSD RESEARCH

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  • Barnes VA. Transcendental Meditation and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (Editorial comment). The Lancet Psychiatry 2018 5(12):946-947. doi.org/10.1016/

  • Barnes VA, Monto A, Williams JJ, Rigg JL. Transcendental  Meditation® and psychotropic medication use among active duty military service members with anxiety and PTSD. Military Medicine 2016 181(1):56-63. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00333

  • Barnes VA, Rigg JL, Williams JJ. Clinical case series: treatment of PTSD with Transcendental Meditation in active duty military personnel. Military Medicine 2013 178(7):e836-40.

  • Herron R, Rees B. The Transcendental Meditation Program’s impact on the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder of veterans: an uncontrolled pilot study. Military Medicine 2018 183(1-2):e144-e150. doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usx059 <http://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usx059>

  • Kang SS, Erbes CR, Lamberty GJ, Thuras P, Sponheim SR, Polusny MA, Moran AC, Van Voorhis AC, Lim KO. Transcendental Meditation for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 2018 10(6):675-680. http://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000346

  • Nidich S, Mills PJ, Rainforth M, Heppner P, Schneider RH, Rosenthal NE, Salerno J, Gaylord-King C, Rutledge T. Non-trauma-focused meditation versus exposure therapy in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Psychiatry 2018 5(12):975-986. doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30384-5 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30384-5>

  • Nidich S, O’Connor T, Rutledge T, Duncan J, Compton B, Seng A, Nidich R. Reduced trauma symptoms and perceived stress in male prison inmates through the Transcendental Meditation Program: a randomized controlled trial. The Permanente Journal 2016 20(4):16-007.  doi.org/10.7812/TPP/16-007

  • Nidich S, Seng A, Compton B, O’Connor T, Salerno J W, Nidich R. Transcendental Meditation and reduced trauma symptoms in female inmates: a randomized controlled study. The Permanente Journal 2017 21(1):16-008. doi.org/10.7812/TPP/16-008 Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study.

  • Rees B, Travis F, Shapiro D, Chant R. Reduction in posttraumatic stress symptoms in Congolese refugees practicing Transcendental Meditation. Journal of Traumatic Stress 2013 26(2):295-298

  • Rees B, Travis F, Shapiro D, Chant R. Significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms in Congolese refugees within 10 days of Transcendental Meditation practice. Journal of Traumatic Stress 2014 27(1):112-115

  • Rosenthal JZ, Grosswald S, Ross R, Rosenthal N. Effects of Transcendental Meditation in veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study. Military Medicine 2011 176(6):626?630

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“Transcendental Meditation benefits from a vast body of 40 years of research showing very powerful long-lasting reductions in stress and sustained improvements in health.”

—Norman Rosenthal, MD, renowned psychiatrist, medical researcher, and best-selling author credited with the discovery of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Scientific evidence that Transcendental Meditation® works

Hundreds of scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation program at more than 200 independent universities and research institutions worldwide over the past 40 years. The National Institutes of Health in the US have awarded over $38 million to research the effectiveness of TM for reducing stress and stress-related illness with a focus on cardiovascular disease. Findings have been published in leading, peer-reviewed scientific journals, including The American Journal of Cardiology and the American Heart Association’s Hypertension and Stroke.

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In Australia we work with Melbourne University’s Phoenix Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health, Southern Cross University, Newcastle University, and the University of South Australia.
 
The TM technique's benefits start right away and keep growing. 

​

Hundreds of independent research studies have found major increases in calmness, creativity, energy, clarity of mind, and happiness.

Benefits to Education

  • 21% increase in high school graduation rate
    Education 133 (4): 495-500, 2013

  • 10% improvement in test scores and GPA
    Education 131: 556–565, 2011

  • Increased attendance and decreased suspensions for high school students
    Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1:10, 2003

  • Reduced ADHD symptoms and symptoms of other learning disorders
    Mind & Brain: The Journal of Psychiatry 2 (1): 73-81, 2011

  • Increased intelligence and creativity
    Intelligence 29: 419-440, 2001

  • 40% reduction in psychological distress, including stress, anxiety and depression
    American Journal of Hypertension 22(12): 1326-1331, 2009

  • Reduction in teacher burnout and perceived stress
    Permanante Journal 18 (1): 19-23, 2014

Benefits to Veterans

  • 40-55% reduction in symptoms of PTS and depression
    Military Medicine 176 (6): 626-630, 2011

  • 42% decrease in insomnia
    Journal of Counselling and Development 64: 212-215, 1985

  • 25% reduction in plasma cortisol levels
    Hormones and Behaviour 10: 54–60, 1978

  • Decreased high blood pressure–on par with first-line antihypertensives
    American Journal of Hypertension 21: 310–316, 2008

  • 47% reduced risk of cardiovascular-related mortality
    Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 5: 750-758, 2012

  • 30% improvement in satisfaction with quality of life
    Military Medicine 176 (6): 626-630, 2011

Benefits to Abused Women and Girls

  • Reduced flashbacks and bad memories
    Military Medicine 176 (6): 626-630, 2011

  • Greater resistance to stress
    Psychosomatic Medicine 35: 341–349, 1973

  • Twice the effectiveness of conventional approaches for reducing alcoholism and substance abuse
    Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 13-87, 1994

  • 42% decrease in insomnia
    Journal of Counselling and Development 64: 212-215, 1985

  • Twice as effective as other relaxation techniques for decreasing trait anxiety
    Journal of Clinical Psychology 45(6): 957–974, 1989

  • Improved quality of life
    Military Medicine 176 (6): 626-630, 2011

Research

RESEARCH SUMMARY

University and Medical Schools 

Research has been conducted on the Transcendental Meditation program at 250 independent universities and medical schools, including:

  • Harvard Medical School

  • Yale Medical School

  • University of Virginia Medical Centre

  • University of Michigan Medical School

  • University of Chicago Medical School

  • University of Southern California Medical School

  • UCLA Medical School

  • UCSF Medical School

  • Stanford Medical School

University of Connecticut

At-risk adolescents reduce stress, anxiety and hyperactivity through Transcendental Meditation


This newly completed study found that 106 at-risk adolescents in three high schools reduced their levels of stress, anxiety, hyperactivity and emotional problems when practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique for four months at school, as compared with controls.

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  • Robert Colbert, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut

  • Annual Meeting of the Society for Behavioural Medicine, March 2008

American University

Transcendental Meditation produces positive effects on health, brain functioning and cognitive development in students


This two-year study of 250 students attending American University and surrounding colleges in Washington, D.C., found that the TM program produced beneficial effects for health, brain functioning, and cognitive development compared to controls.

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  • David Haaga, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the James J. Gray Psychotherapy Training Clinic, American University

  • American Journal of Hypertension, 2009

  • International Journal of Psychophysiology, 2009

Cedars Sinai Medical Centre
- Los Angeles

Transcendental Meditation reduces hypertension, obesity and diabetes in patients with coronary heart disease


This study of 103 people with coronary heart disease found that individuals practicing Transcendental Meditation for four months had significantly lower blood pressure, improved blood glucose and insulin levels (which signify reduced insulin resistance), and more stable functioning of the autonomic nervous system compared to controls.

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  • C. Noel Bairey Merz, M.D., Director of the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Centre at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre; Professor of Medicine at the UCLA Medical School

  • American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine, June 2006

Medical College of Georgia

Reduced high blood pressure among high school students


This eight-month study of 156 hypertensive African American high school students found that the Transcendental Meditation program reduced high blood pressure among the meditating students as compared with little or no change in the control group (twenty percent of African American teenagers suffer from high blood pressure).

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  • Vernon Barnes, Ph.D., physiologist and research scientist, Georgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia

  • American Journal of Hypertension, April 2004

University of Michigan

Transcendental Meditation reduces stress and increases happiness among middle school students


Two studies on 60 sixth graders at two middle schools found the practice of Transcendental Meditation over four months positively affected emotional development in early adolescent children in a school setting. Meditating students also had significantly higher scores on affectivity, self-esteem, and emotional competence.

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  • Rita Benn, Ph.D., Director of Education, Complementary & Alternative Medicine Research Centre, University of Michigan

  • National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, April 2003

University of California at Irvine

Transcendental Meditation reduces the brain’s reaction to stress


In this pilot study, 12 subjects practicing Transcendental Meditation for 30 years showed a 40–50% lower brain response to stress and pain compared to 12 healthy controls. Further, when the controls then learned and practiced Transcendental Meditation for five months, their brain responses to stress and pain also decreased by a comparable 40–50%.

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  • David Orme-Johnson, Ph.D., study director, Neuroimaging Laboratory, University of California at Irvine

  • NeuroReport, August 2006

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