Founded by MaharishiMahesh Yogi
Founded by MaharishiResearch shows Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice can improve TM practitioner’s immune system allowing them to be more resilient to disease and stress related conditions.
The results of a randomised controlled trial and a secondary analysis showed that the simple and effortless practice of Transcendental Meditation “activates stabilisation” of the immune system.
The 2013 randomised controlled trial indicated the “possibility of immune activation stabilisation” (Chhatre et al., 2013) for the Transcendental Meditation group, which consisted of 11 participants.
Unstabilised or dysregulated immune activation, such as chronic systemic immune activation, can have long-term negative health effects (Spudich, 2016). Possible effects include an increased risk of infections and the reduced potential efficacy of vaccines (Wolday et al., 2021).
Another research conducted in a 2014 study analysed the levels of immune cells in the people who practice the Transcendental Meditation technique.
The study researchers found that the TM group, which consisted of 19 practitioners, had higher values than the control group in specific immune cells, such as natural killer cells and other lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that play a central role in the body’s immune system, including fighting cancer and viral infections compared to the control group.
During Transcendental Meditation the body experiences a unique style of functioning where the mind is highly optimised, coherent and the body is in profound deep rest, also known as restful alertness. This experience of “transcending” leads to positive outcomes in daily life, such as an improved and strengthened immune system.
A 2023 secondary analysis revealed that 23 long-term Transcendental Meditation practitioners had reduced expression of the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) in comparison to that of the control group.
CTRA is a molecular gene profile that leads to “greater inflammatory activity and reduced innate antiviral activity” (Walton, Wenuganen & Cole, 2023). By promoting chronic low-grade inflammation, CTRA contributes to the “development of inflammation-related cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and neoplastic (cancer) diseases, while chronically undermining cellular immune responses and antiviral defences” (Cole, 2019).
These three scientific sources indicate the effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation technique to help boost immune system function more appropriately and effectively. While it shouldn’t be the first line of defence against serious diseases such as infections and cancer, Transcendental Meditation practice can indirectly combat the continued development of such diseases.
Research shows that 80 percent of disease and disorder are caused due to high levels of stress in daily life. Transcendental Meditation is a powerful tool that naturally and effortlessly allows the physiology to dissolve stress preventing the onset of serious health problems. And at the same time allows the practitioner to experience inner happiness, calm and clarity.
