Although the earliest scientific studies of yogic meditation date back to the 1930s and 1940s, research into the psychophysiological effects of meditation took off in the 1970s, fueled by a burgeoning interest in Transcendental Meditation (TM), Zen, and other Eastern meditation techniques. Since then, thousands of studies have been published, with an exponential increase in research in the past 10 to 15 years as brain-imaging technology has become increasingly sophisticated.
Here is a brief synopsis of the most significant benefits of meditation:
Physiological benefits:
Decreased heart rate
Lower blood pressure
Quicker recovery from stress
Decrease in beta (brainwaves associated with thinking) and increase in alpha, delta, and gamma (brainwaves associated with deep relaxation and higher mental activity)
Enhanced synchronization (that is, simultaneous operation) of the right and left hemispheres of the brain (which positively correlates with creativity)
Fewer heart attacks and strokes
Increased longevity
Reduced cholesterol levels
Decreased consumption of energy and need for oxygen
Deeper, slower breathing
Muscle relaxation
Reduction in the intensity of pain
Psychological benefits:
More happiness and peace of mind
Greater enjoyment of the present moment
Less emotional reactivity; fewer intense negative emotions and dramatic mood swings
More loving, harmonious relationships
Increased empathy
Enhanced creativity and self-actualization
Heightened perceptual clarity and sensitivity
Reductions in both acute and chronic anxiety
Complement to psychotherapy and other approaches in the treatment of addiction
