Transcendental Meditation : Research Outcomes

Transcendental Meditation - Research Outcomes
Transcendental Meditation is a widely studied form of meditation. More than 250 universities and research institutions have conducted studies in 30 countries throughout the world. There have been 350 peer-reviewed, published scientific studies in more than 150 scientific journals in a broad range of disciplines (Pearson 400). The regular experience of Transcendental Consciousness restores the pathways of the brain to optimal functioning by correcting chemical imbalances which are the source of addictive behavior (Pearson 422). Over 24 research studies indicate that Transcendental Meditation is effective in preventing, reducing, discontinuing and treating abuse of alcohol and drugs (Pearson 422). Transcendental Meditation has been shown to stop or significantly reduce the use of marijuana, hallucinogens and hard drugs, including heroin, cocaine, crack and amphetamines.
W. T. Winquist in a retrospective study demonstrated that of 143 regular users of marijuana and hallucinogens, 119 (83 percent) discontinued all drug use and 22 (15 percent) of subjects reduced usage by 50 percent and 2 (2 percent) continued regular use (1969).
During 1972, a wider study was completed of 1,862 individuals included regular users of marijuana, LSD, hallucinogens, narcotics, amphetamines, barbiturates and alcohol. After six months of Transcendental Meditation practice, substantial reductions in the use of alcohol and drugs were recorded and after 21 months of Transcendental Meditation further significant reduced use was recorded over all categories. Of particular note is the reduction in the use of marijuana, from 78 percent before Transcendental Meditation to 37 percent and 12 percent after 6 months ...

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...s. A meta-analyses demonstrated that the Transcendental Meditation program showed larger reductions in alcohol and non-prescribed drug use compared to those achieved in standard treatment and prevention programs. Compared to standard drug abuse treatment programs, Transcendental Meditation was more effective in reducing the usage of alcohol by a factor of 4.5. Non-prescribed drug use was also reduced by a factor of 4.5. Compared to standard prevention programs, Transcendental Meditation was more effective by a factor of 3.3 in reducing alcohol use. Positive results with the use of Transcendental Meditation continued after a period of three months, whereas in standard substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, there was return to alcohol and drug use in the same period (Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 13-87). The results are shown in the chart below.