Does Transcendental Meditation Work? Transcendental meditation (TM) proponents maintain that the technique has far-reaching stress-reduction benefits, even going as far as to say it "can reverse the signs of aging" if practiced correctly. Are you familiar with any medical studies that have attempted to confirm the claims of TM enthusiasts? Transcendental meditation (TM) first became popular in the United States in the 1960s when the Beatles, Mia Farrow, the Beach Boys, and other celebrities took it up. The practice, based on ancient yogic teachings, applies a simple meditation technique that involves the repetition of a Sanskrit word or phrase called a mantra intended to prevent distracting thoughts. The four key elements to eliciting a relaxation response are a quiet environment, an object to dwell upon (like a word or symbol), a comfortable position, and most importantly, a passive attitude that allows thoughts, imagery, and feelings to drift into your awareness and pass on through. Meditation is a way to break addiction to thought - to place your attention in present reality. Proponents of TM have made some extreme claims that their method will reverse the effects of aging, allow people to levitate, and cause them to reach enlightenment. I'm sorry to say I haven't seen evidence for any of these claims and you're wise to question them. But here's the good news. Studies on TM at Harvard Medical School in the mid-'70s showed it to lower oxygen consumption, increase blood flow, and slow the heart rate, leading to a deep level of relaxation. Researchers also found TM to lower levels of blood lactate, which is associated with anxiety, and to decrease blood pressure in people with hypertension. You might look at Herbert Benson's book, "The Relaxation Response" (William Morrow and Company Inc., New York; 1975), which offers an excellent overview of this research. I believe that other forms of meditation offer similar benefits and unlike TM, many are free. I don't recommend meditation for everyone; some people aren't ready for it, and some need simpler techniques for relaxing. Beginners can try my deep breathing meditation in DocTalk.