In 1972, Dr. R. Keith Wallace, a physiologist working at UCLA, published landmark studies on the physiological benefits of practicing TM in Science, the American Journal of Physiology, and Scientific American. Based on this notable research, researchers from the University of California-Irvine conducted detailed studies comparing TM practitioners with others sitting with eyes closed. Dr. A. F. Wilson, chief of Pulmonary Medicine, and his colleague, Dr. Ronald Jevning, found that there was a marked increase in cerebral blood flow during the practice of TM. This accounted for why people who practiced the technique reported feeling more alert and awake than usual. "A completely new pattern of physiological activity had been discovered: overall physiological rest and relaxation combined with an enriched blood supply to the brain," commented Sharma and Clark. Later, researchers verified that, indeed, TM was not just another relaxation technique or way to rest. Sharma and Clark reported: "To many researchers, Transcendental Meditation, viewed in detail, paints a picture of a totally new style of physiological functioning. There are many signs of deep relaxation - reduced muscle and red blood cell metabolism, more stable nervous system functioning, reduced levels of cortisol (a biochemical marker of stress) and plasma lactate (a chemical marker of metabolic activity), and reduced breath rate. At the same time, blood flow to the brain increases in a highly distinctive way, and a unique pattern of frontal and central brain-wave coherence occurs. Overall, this pattern of functioning is completely different from the patterns seen in waking, sleeping, and dreaming." The clinical value of experiencing this restful alertness on a regular basis is significant. Dr. Kenneth Eppley, a researcher at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute) compared TM to other meditation and stress management techniques and looked at their effects on anxiety. His research, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, looked at 100 studies of well-known practices, including TM, other types of meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, the relaxation response, and many others. Eppley used statistical methods of meta-analysis to compare the techniques. The results of all the tests found that the Transcendental Meditation technique reduced anxiety more than twice as much as any other technique (p<0.005). Sharma and Clark reported that, given TM's many physiology and stress-reduction benefits, the technique might even be expected to reduce free radical generation. "Free radical damage has been implicated in up to 80 percent of all human diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, heart disease, inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases, and Alzheimer's. More generally, free radicals may cause much of the general deterioration of mind and body associated with aging." A number of studies have found TM to reduce or slow down the aging process. For example, a study from Harvard University by psychologists Charles Alexander and Ellen Langer compared three types of meditation and relaxation techniques - TM, mindfulness training, and mental relaxation, as well as a no-treatment group. Participants, whose average age was 81, were randomly assigned to the four groups. Three years later, the Transcendental Meditation group had the greatest reduction in stress (p < 0.01) and blood pressure (p < 0.01). The TM group also had a significantly higher survival rate (p < 0.00025): no one had died in this group during the study even though the mortality rate for the other participants was more than one-third. After eight years, the TM group's mean survival time was 65 percent higher than the other groups combined. But does TM actually create better health? The research findings are abundant. A study published in Hypertension in 1995, randomized 128 elderly African-American hypertensives to groups practicing Transcendental Meditation, progressive relaxation, or diet and exercise. After three months, the reduction in blood pressure in the TM group was significantly greater. In a 1994 special issue of Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 17 articles were published on the effectiveness of TM in reducing substance abuse. Perhaps the most dramatic research on the health benefits of Transcendental Meditation have come from long-term, health care utilization and costs studies that have documented significant reductions for people practicing TM regularly. Additionally, research has verified that the TM technique provides the following benefits: Reduces stress
Other dental professionals benefit as well After practicing general dentistry in Little Rock, Ark., for 11 years, Dr. John Tower moved to Fairfield, Iowa. A University of Tennessee-Memphis dental school graduate, Tower has practiced general dentistry in this small, but cosmopolitan town for the past 16 years. "Quality dentistry is very demanding, and I'm a perfectionist," said Tower. "Everyday we're working in a very confined space with a patient who typically is nervous. Personally, I find it very refreshing to practice TM every afternoon when I get home from the office. After meditating, I have more energy and my mind is clear. Not having used up all of my empathy and energy on my patients, I still have some left so that my wife and I can enjoy the evening together." "My health has improved since I began meditating," Tower continues. "Before I learned TM, I was beginning to experience some stress-related hypertension and digestive problems, even though I was a good athlete. Now, my blood pressure is 110/60. I suspect that if I were not practicing TM, I would be taking blood pressure medication." Tower explained that it was the research on TM and a cousin's recommendation that stimulated him to learn the technique. "My wife and I have been meditating regularly for the past 25 years. The results were apparent immediately. Practicing TM has brought a lot of creativity to my dental practice. In general dentistry, there are so many challenges. Meditating has broadened my awareness. When problems arise, I am more understanding now. My staff, patients, and family all have benefited indirectly from this technique." Tower explained that he had thought about meditating while a youth, but always felt it would be too difficult. He was 34 years old before he learned TM. "I was encouraged when I first heard about this form of meditation. The Transcendental Meditation teacher said, 'The important thing is not to try too hard. The practice of TM is completely effortless. If you can think a thought, you can meditate.' And, that's what we have experienced. Even children practice this technique." Dr. Al Lopez has a different story to tell about his introduction to TM. At the time, Lopez was director of residency training in periodontology at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Levenworth, Kan. The Meninger's Foundation in Topeka, Kan., was sponsoring a lecture by Dr. Keith Wallace, a UCLA physiologist. Lopez said, "Dr. Wallace had been invited to talk about his research on Transcendental Meditation. So I invited him to speak to our staff at the VA. The Vietnam War was going on during this time. Because of all the extensive oral rehabilitation we were performing on the veterans, it was pretty stressful in the dental clinic. After Dr. Wallace's presentation, about half of the dental clinic staff learned TM. The first thing we noticed was the increase in productivity. Within a month, we were enjoying our jobs so much that we began sponsoring softball games within the hospital, which brought about a lot of good will." Lopez, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry, has practiced periodontics in Albuquerque, N.M., for the past 11 years. "The main benefit I have experienced from practicing TM, is profound, deep rest, which has increased my ability to deal with stress," said Lopez. "Our actions are based on the thinking process, and when the mind is rested and relaxed, we perform better." Reprinted with permission of RDH: The National Magazine for Dental Hygiene Professionals |
