The most important aspect of the human physiology is the brain. It is the brain that decides whether an individual is successful in life or not.
Research shows twice daily practice of the Transcendental Meditation® technique optimises total brain functioning. This simple, natural and effortless meditation technique increases blood flow to the brain which reduces symptoms of ADHD and ADD. TM also increases clarity, focus, creativity and higher IQ.
Increased Blood Flow
A 1978 study hypothesised that increased cerebral blood flow caused redistributed blood flow in Transcendental Meditation practitioners during practice. The study also recorded a decline of hepatic blood flow, increased cardiac output, decreased arterial lactate, and minute volume in the TM-induced rest period.
“These changes imply a considerable increase of nonrenal, nonhepatic blood flow during TM (44%) and, to a lesser extent, during rest (12%).”
Th 1996 research confirmed this hypothesis with the researchers’ adding: “the data of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that blood flow changes during TM comprise a patterned response subserving needs of increased cerebral activity.”
This shows that during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique, the individuals experience increased blood flow to the brain.
More recent research, such as in a 2018 study, specified which regions in the cerebrum had increased blood flow. The study found that blood flow patterns were significantly higher in executive and attention areas.
“During Transcendental Meditation practice, blood flow patterns were significantly higher in executive and attention areas (anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices) and significantly lower in arousal areas (pons and cerebellum),” the report said.
“This pattern supports the understanding that Transcendental Meditation practice requires minimal effort.
“This pattern of heightened blood flow in attentional areas and decreased blood flow in arousal areas has not been reported during other meditation practices.”
Better Brain Functioning
A 1977 study found that Transcendental Meditation facilitates right hemispheric functioning, which is instrumental in understanding social concepts. 2020 research showed that Transcendental Meditation practice can lead to increased brain functional connectivity.
“Using a longitudinal design, we combined psychometric questionnaires, structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) to investigate the potential brain modifications underlying the psychological effects of TM,” the researchers said.
“The final sample included 19 naïve subjects instructed to complete two daily 20-min TM sessions, and 15 volunteers in the control group. Both groups were evaluated at recruitment (T0) and after 3 months (T1). At T1, only meditators showed a decrease in perceived anxiety and stress.
“These preliminary findings indicate that beneficial effects of TM may be mediated by functional brain changes that take place after a short practice period of three months.”
Holistic Optimisation of the Mind
In a 2009 randomised controlled trial on the effect of Transcendental Meditation on older breast cancer patients, the Transcendental Meditation group significantly improved overall Quality Of Life (QOL). Emotional well-being, social well-being, and mental health were all included in the QOL measurement.
A 2018 single-blind controlled study on the effect of Transcendental Meditation on 81 vulnerable women discovered that participation in a Transcendental Meditation program led to significant improvements in the following areas:
Improved Academic Performance
In a 2006 descriptive study of 10 middle school students who practised Transcendental Meditation for over a year, one of the three themes reported as a result of practice was improvement in academic performance.
The results of a 2021 study revealed that the high school students who practised the Transcendental Meditation technique had higher national examination scores at post-test than the matched group of control students.
In a 2022 study of 107 primary and secondary students, approximately 75% agreed that Transcendental Meditation practice positively affected their school performance.
Improved Memory
According to a 2019 journal article that references earlier research, Transcendental Meditation practitioners are known to display better textual memory. The article’s conclusion implies that Transcendental Meditation is likely to influence memory recall and possibly memory consolidation.
In a 2022 demonstration study, children who practised Quiet Time (QT), a classroom-based Transcendental Meditation intervention, showed improved working memory.
The demonstration study also references a 2006 longitudinal study stating that higher frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence and brain integration promoted by Transcendental Meditation support working memory.
The benefits of Transcendental Meditation may contribute to increased calmness and clarity of mind for people with ADHD and those experiencing other forms of mental disorganisation.
In conclusion, Transcendental Meditation can prove to be a holistic intervention for alleviating the effects of ADHD symptoms.