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Scientists have been conducting '''Transcendental Meditation (TM) research''' since the late 1960s, and 340 studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals.<ref name="Rosenthal 2011 14">{{cite book |first=Norman |last=Rosenthal |title=Transcendence: Healing and Transformation through Transcendental Meditation |publisher=Tarcher/Penguin |year=2011 |page=14 |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58542-873-1 | url = http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ssJ6jU0YeNEC&oi=fnd&pg=PT12&dq=Transcendence:+Healing+and+Transformation+through+Transcendental+Meditation+&ots=m21SjjiK0C&sig=QIsnkZLDlWvOgFhDQfi5NAkRPWI#v=onepage&q=340&f=false | quote = By my latest count, there have been 340 peer-reviewed articles published on TM, many of which have appeared in highly respected journals.}}</ref> The ] is a specific form of ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.oed.com/ |title=Transcendental Meditation |work=Oxford English Dictionary}}</ref> developed by ], and has become one of the most widely researched meditation techniques.<ref name=Bushell>{{cite news| author=William Bushell |title=Longevity Potential Life Span and Health Span Enhancement through Practice of the Basic Yoga Meditation Regimen |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=1172 | year=2009 |page=46 | quote=Transcendental Meditation (TM) . . . has been the most extensively studied meditation technique. | url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=TMJRynOxsisC&pg=PA20&dq=William+Bushell+%282009%29.+%22Longevity+Potential+Life+Span+and+Health+Span+Enhancement+through+Practice+of+the+Basic+Yoga+Meditation&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hryvUPaBN8TtigLSjIHQAQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Transendental%20Meditation&f=false}}</ref><ref name="Freeman2009">{{cite book |first=Lyn |last=Freeman |title=Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |year=2009 |pages=497|isbn=978-0-323-05346-4 |ref=harv |quote = ''Transcendental meditation'' (TM) is the most evaluated meditation technique in use today.}}</ref>

Early studies examined the physiological parameters of the meditation technique. Subsequent research included clinical applications, cognitive effects, mental health, medical costs, and rehabilitation. Beginning in the 1990s, research focused on cardiovascular disease supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.<ref name="QUICK">{{Cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=267105 |title=Delving into alternative care: Non-traditional treatments draw increased interest, research funding|first=SUSANNE|last=QUICK|date=October 17, 2004|work=Journal Sentinel|location=Milwaukee, WI |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20070929124114/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=267105 |archivedate = September 29, 2007}}</ref> Research reviews of the effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique have yielded results ranging from inconclusive<ref name=Ospina>{{cite journal |last1=Ospina |first1=M.B. |last2=Bond |first2=K. |last3=Karkhaneh |first3=M. |last4=Tjosvold |first4=L. |last5=Vandermeer |first5=B. |last6=Liang |first6=Y. |last7=Bialy |first7=L. |last8=Hooton |first8=N. |last9=Buscemi |first9=N. |last10=Dryden |first10=D.M. |last11=Klassen |first11=T.P. |displayauthors=11 |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |issue=155 |pages=1–263 |month=June |year=2007 |pmid=17764203 |url=http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf |format=pdf |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070713191557/http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf |archivedate=2007-07-13 |accessdate=October 22, 2013 |quote=Meta-analyses based on low-quality studies and small numbers of hypertensive participants showed that TM®, Qi Gong and Zen Buddhist meditation significantly reduced blood pressure A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients}}</ref><ref name=Cochrane06>{{Cite journal|last1 =Krisanaprakornkit | first1 = T. | last2 = Krisanaprakornkit | first2 = W. | last3 = Piyavhatkul | first3 = N. | last4 = Laopaiboon | first4 = M. |title=Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=1 |pages=CD004998 |year=2006 |pmid=16437509 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2 |quote=The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety|editor1-last =Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first =Thawatchai}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |year=2004 |month=November |pmid=15480084|url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2049 |ref=harv| quote = There is at present insufficient good-quality evidence to conclude whether or not TM has a cumulative positive effect on blood pressure. |doi=10.1097/00004872-200411000-00002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials |journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21&ndash;22 |pages=758&ndash;66 |year=2003 |month=November |pmid=14743579 |doi= 10.1007/BF03040500|url= |quote = The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials.}}</ref> to clinically significant.<ref name="Academic Press">{{Cite book
| editor = Italo Biaggioni
| others = Geoffrey Burnstock, Phillip A. Low, Julian F.R. Paton
| title = Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System
| edition = 3rd
| year = 2011
| month = November
| publisher = Academic Press
| location = USA
| pages = 297–298 | quote = A meta-analysis of these studies indicates that TM significantly decreased low and high risk participants' systolic and diastolic blood pressures. . . . In addition, psychological distress and coping abilities were significantly improved compared to control TM groups in both low and high risk groups.
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | first = Kevin W.
| last = Chen
| coauthors = Christine C. Berger, Eric Manheimer, Darlene Forde, Jessica Magidson, Laya Dachman, C. W. Lejuez
| year = 2012
| month = June
| title = Meditative Therapies for Reducing Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
| quote = From abstract: "This review demonstrates some efficacy of meditative therapies in reducing anxiety symptoms, which has important clinical implications for applying meditative techniques in treating anxiety."
| journal = Depression and Anxiety
| volume = 29
| issue = 7
| pages = 1, 11–12
| doi = 10.1002/da.21964
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| editor1=Stephen Devries
| editor2=James Dalen
| title = Integrative Cardiology
| date = | year = 2011
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| location = New York
| id = 978-0195383461
| pages = 236, 237
| chapter = The Integrative Approach to Hypertension, Ch. 11| quote = A 2008 meta-analysis of nine studies found a 4.7 mmHg systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mmHg diastolic blood pressure decrease in those who practiced TM compared to control groups that included health education. These decreases were judged to be clinically significant.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Peter
| last = Sedlmeier
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Eberth, Juliane; Schwarz, Marcus; Zimmermann, Doreen; Haarig, Frederik; Jaeger, Sonia; Kunze, Sonja
| year = 2012
| month = May
| title = The Psychological Effects of Meditation: A Meta-Analysis
| quote = Comparatively strong effects for TM (compared to the two other approaches) were found in reducing negative emotions, trait anxiety, and neuroticism, and being helpful in learning and memory and in self-realization (see also Table 3). This finding is consistent with prior meta-analyses that found superior effects of TM in trait anxiety and measures of self-realization.
| journal = Psychological Bulletin
| pages = 19
| doi = 10.1037/a0028168
| url = http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2012-12792-001/
| accessdate = August 9, 2012}}</ref> More research is needed to determine the therapeutic effects of meditation practices and sources vary regarding their assessment of the quality of research. Some cite design limitations and a lack of ],<ref name=Cochrane06/><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.'' |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |volume=|issue=155 |pages=1–263 |year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17764203 |doi= |url= |ref=harv |quote=Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue= 6|pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |url= |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias|editor1-last=Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first=Thawatchai}}</ref> while others assert that the quality is improving and that when suitable assessment criteria are applied, scientific evidence supports the therapeutic value of meditation.<ref name="Sedlmeier 2012">{{Cite journal
| first = Peter
| last = Sedlmeier
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Eberth, Juliane; Schwarz, Marcus; Zimmermann, Doreen; Haarig, Frederik; Jaeger, Sonia; Kunze, Sonja
| year = 2012
| month = May
| title = The Psychological Effects of Meditation: A Meta-Analysis
| quote = . . . notwithstanding the not so positive conclusion of Ospina et al., the claim of therapeutic benefits of meditation is backed up by growing empirical evidence.
| journal = Psychological Bulletin
| doi = 10.1037/a0028168
| url = http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2012-12792-001/
| format =
| accessdate = August 9, 2012
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Kevin W.
| last = Chen
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Christine C. Berger, Eric Manheimer, Darlene Forde, Jessica Magidson, Laya Dachman, C. W. Lejuez
| year = 2012
| month = June
| date =
| title = Meditative Therapies for Reducing Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
| quote = (referring to studies included in their review) "The general quality of these RCTs were acceptable as per CLEAR-NPT: sixteen (40%) studies had a quality score of 0.8 or better, indicating a good quality in research design (p. 5) . . . . the majority of existing reviews have applied evaluation criteria based on pharmaceutical RCT's that tended to underestimate the actual quality of these studies, since many of the traditional criteria for quality assessment may not apply to the study of meditative therapies (p. 3) . . . . the overall quality of meditation studies have increased continuously in the past 10 years. Our analysis of study quality over time indicates that studies published prior to 2000 had a relatively lower quality score (CLEAR = .66), studies published in 2000-2005 had a slightly higher score (CLEAR = .69), whereas studies published after 2006 has a mean quality score of .75 (p. 13)
| journal = Depression and Anxiety
| volume = 29
| issue = 7
| pages = 545–562
| doi = 10.1002/da.21964
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| first = R.
| last = Walsh
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| date = 2011, January 17
| title = Lifestyle and Mental Health
| quote = It is now clear that meditation, either alone or in combination with other therapies, can be beneficial for both normal and multiple clinical populations. (Cites Anderson, Liu, & Kryscio, 2008, among others.)
| journal = American Psychologist
| pages = 8
| doi = 10.1037/a0021769
}}</ref> Authors Canter and Ernst assert that some studies have the potential for bias due to the connection of researchers to the TM organization<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |year=2004 |month=November |pmid=15480084|url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2049 |ref=harv| quote = All the randomized clinical trials of TM for the control of blood pressure published to date have important methodological weaknesses and are potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization. |doi=10.1097/00004872-200411000-00002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials |journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21&ndash;22 |pages=758&ndash;66 |year=2003 |month=November |pmid=14743579 |doi= 10.1007/BF03040500|url= |quote = All 4 positive trials recruited subjects from among people favourably predisposed towards TM, and used passive control procedures &hellip; The association observed between positive outcome, subject selection procedure and control procedure suggests that the large positive effects reported in 4 trials result from an expectation effect. The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials.}}</ref> while TM researchers point to their collaboration with independent researchers and universities as signs of objectivity.<ref name="Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI 2006 S4–15–26" /><ref>{{Cite journal | author = David W. Orme-Johnson, Vernon A. Barnes, Alex M. Hankey, Roger A. Chalmers| year = 2005| month = | title = Reply to critics of research on Transcendental Meditation in the prevention and control of hypertension | journal = Journal of Hypertension | volume = 23 | issue = | pages = 1107–111 | id = | url = http://www.lebensqualitaet-technologien.de/Orme-Johnson/Orme-Johnson%202005%20Reply%20to%20Critics,%20J%20Hypt.pdf | quote = The six RCTs were co-authored by 10 independent collaborators from Harvard University and the University of Maryland , West Oakland Health Center, University of Arkansas, and the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic , University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , and the Georgia Institute for Prevention of Human Disease and the Medical College of Georgia . Blood pressure data were collected blind by personnel at independent institutions. The collaborators did not have any particular commitment to TM or the TM organization and none would gain financially from the research results. The studies were funded by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health , the National Institutes of Health, including the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute , the Retirement Research Foundation , and the American Heart Association . Grant proposals from these agencies are subject to stringent peer review under highly competitive conditions, and only those proposals with the best research designs conducted under the most objective conditions are funded.}}</ref>

==Research==

It is presently not possible to say whether meditation has any effect on health, as the research to date has been of poor quality,<ref name=Cochrane06/><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.''|title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |volume=|issue=155 |pages=1–263|year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17764203|doi= |url= |ref=harv |quote=Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.}}</ref><ref name="Braunwald 2011">Edzard Ernst, Chapter 51 in ''Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine'', Peter Libby, et al, eds, Saunders Elsevier, 2011. ISBN 978-1437727081 Quotation: "A systematic review of six RCTs of transcendental meditation failed to generate convincing evidence that meditation is an effective treatment for hypertension.15 “ (references the same 2004 systematic review by Canter and Ernst on TM and hypertension that is separately referenced in this article)</ref> including a high risk for ] due to the connection of researchers to the TM organization and the selection of subjects with a favorable opinion of TM.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22|issue=11|pages=2049–54 |year=2004|month=November|pmid=15480084|url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2049 |ref=harv| quote = All the randomized clinical trials of TM for the control of blood pressure published to date have important methodological weaknesses and are potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization.|doi=10.1097/00004872-200411000-00002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev|volume=6 |issue= 6|pages=CD006507|year=2010 |pmid=20556767|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |url= |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias|editor1-last=Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first=Thawatchai}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E|title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials|journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21&ndash;22 |pages=758&ndash;66|year=2003|month=November |pmid=14743579 |doi= 10.1007/BF03040500|url= |quote = All 4 positive trials recruited subjects from among people favourably predisposed towards TM, and used passive control procedures &hellip; The association observed between positive outcome, subject selection procedure and control procedure suggests that the large positive effects reported in 4 trials result from an expectation effect. The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials.}}</ref> Independent ] have not found health benefits for TM exceeding those of ] and ].<ref name=Cochrane06>{{Cite journal|last1 =Krisanaprakornkit | first1 = T.| last2 = Krisanaprakornkit | first2 = W. |last3 = Piyavhatkul | first3 = N. | last4 = Laopaiboon | first4 = M.|title=Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=1|pages=CD004998|year=2006 |pmid=16437509 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2 |quote=The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety|editor1-last =Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first =Thawatchai}}</ref><ref name=Ospina>{{cite journal|last1=Ospina|first1= MB.|last2=Bond|first2=K.|last3 =Karkhaneh|first3 =M. |last4 =Tjosvold |first4 =L. |last5 =Vandermeer |first5 =B. |last6 =Liang|first6 =Y. |last7 =Bialy |first7 =L. |last8 =Hooton |first8 =N. |last9 =Buscemi |first9 =N. |title =Meditation practices for health: state of the research|journal =Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |issue = 155 |pages =1–263 |month = June |year =2007 |pmid = 17764203|url=http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf|quote=A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1 = Krisanaprakornkit | first1 = T. |last2 = Ngamjarus | first2 = C. | last3 = Witoonchart | first3 = C. | last4 = Piyavhatkul | first4 = N. |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue= 6|pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias, we are unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy for ADHD.|editor1-last = Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first = Thawatchai}}</ref> A 2013 statement from the ] described the evidence supporting TM as a treatment for hypertension as Level IIB, meaning that TM "may be considered" but that its effectiveness is "unknown/unclear/uncertain or not well-established".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brook,|first=Robert D|coauthors=Lawrence J. Appel, Melvyn Rubenfire, Gbenga Ogedegbe, John D. Bisognano, William J. Elliott, Flavio D. Fuchs, Joel W. Hughes, Daniel T. Lackland, Beth A. Staffileno, Raymond R. Townsend and Sanjay Rajagopalan|title=Beyond Medications and Diet: Alternative Approaches to Lowering Blood Pressure : A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association|journal=Hypertension|year=2013|month=April 22|doi=10.1161/HYP.0b013e318293645f|url=http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/early/2013/04/22/HYP.0b013e318293645f.full.pdf}}</ref>

There has been ongoing research into Transcendental Meditation since the first studies were conducted at UCLA and Harvard University and published in ''Science'' and the ''American Journal of Physiology'' in 1970 and 1971.<ref>Lyn Freeman, ''Mosby’s Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach'', Mosby Elsevier, 2009, p. 163</ref>
By 2004 the US government had given more than $20 million to Maharishi University to study the effect of meditation on health.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=267105 |title=Delving into alternative care: Non-traditional treatments draw increased interest, research funding|first=SUSANNE|last=QUICK|date=October 17, 2004|work=Journal Sentinel|location=Milwaukee, WI |archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20070929124114/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=267105 |archivedate = September 29, 2007|quote=Maharishi University ... has received more than $20 million in government support to date to explore the health benefits of meditation.}}</ref>
{{-}}

==History==

The first study on Transcendental Meditation, done at ] by Robert Keith Wallace and published in 1970 in ], and a follow-up study in 1971 at Harvard by Wallace, ], and Archie Wilson, characterized Transcendental Meditation as a wakeful hypometabolic state, using measures such as EEG, oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood lactate, blood pH, and skin resistance. The research suggested that Transcendental Meditation produced a state in which the body was at rest, yet the mind was alert.<ref name=Freeman2009/> Harvard's Benson termed this physiological response "the relaxation response" and hypothesized that meditation and other techniques trigger a physiological response in the body that is beyond simple relaxation. He developed a technique similar to Transcendental Meditation that he called "respiratory one method." Wallace then ended his collaboration with Benson, seeing TM as being more than a relaxation response.<ref name=Freeman2009/>

The initial studies on the physiology of TM published in Science were reported in ] magazine in 1971 and ] in 1972, and attracted significant public and scientific attention.<ref name="Freeman2009">{{cite book |first=Lyn |last=Freeman |title=Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |year=2009 |pages=163|isbn=978-0-323-05346-4 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Mind over drugs|author= |url= |page= 47|newspaper= Time|date= Oct 25, 1971 }}</ref> Between mid-1970 and 1974, the number of research insititutions conducting research on TM in the fields of medicine and psychology expanded rapidly, growing from four to over 100.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Kanellakos| first = Demetri P| authorlink = | coauthors = Jerome S Lukas| editor = | others = | title = The Psychobiology of Transcendental Meditation: A Literature Review| origdate = | origyear = | origmonth = | url = | format = |edition = | date = | year = 1974| month = July| publisher = W.A. Benjamin Inc| location = Menlo Park| language = | id = 0-8053-5205-8| pages = vi| chapter = | chapterurl =| quote =The pioneer paper on the physiological effects of TM first published by Robert Keith Wallace in Science, 1970, is a summary of his Ph.D. dissertation . . . . shortly after the publication of this first paper and Wallace's book containing his full thesis (1970), many investigators attempted to verify his findings, and research on TM rapidly expanded in a number of areas, particularly psychology and medicine. . . . Since Wallace published the first paper in 1970, the number of laboratories studying the psychobiological effects of TM has grown from 4 to over 100}}</ref>

In 1972 researchers at the University of Cincinnati conducted the first research on TM in the field of psychology to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The study, on TM and self-actualization, appeared in the ''Journal of Counseling Psychology.''<ref>{{Cite book | last = Truch| first = Stephen| editor = | title = The TM Technique and the Art of Learning| year = 1977| month = | publisher = Lester and Orpen Ltd.| location = Toronto| language = | id = 0822603292| pages = 191| chapter = | chapterurl =| quote = }}</ref> In 1973, David Orme-Johnson, conducting research at the University of El Paso, Texas, published research on TM and autonomic stability in the journal, ''Psychosomatic Medicine.''<ref>{{Cite book | last = Truch| first = Stephen| editor = | title = The TM Technique and the Art of Learning| year = 1977| month = | publisher = Lester and Orpen Ltd.| location = Toronto| language = | id = 0822603292| pages = 186| chapter = | chapterurl =| quote = }}</ref>

In 1984, University of California-Irvine researchers R. Jevning and J.P. O’Halloran characterized the proposal, by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, of a distinct fourth state of consciousness with a basis in physiology, as a “major contribution to the study of human behavior” that sparked extensive scientific research.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Jevning|first1= Ronald|authorlink1= |last2= O'Halloran|first2= James P|authorlink2= |editor1-first= Deane H |editor1-last= Shapiro |editor2-first = Roger |editor2-last =Walsh |title= Meditation: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives|trans_title= |year= 1984|publisher= Aldine Publishing Company|location= Hawthorne, New York|language= |isbn= 0-202-25136-5|oclc= |page= 470 |chapter= Chapter 33: Metabolic Effects of Transcendental Meditation: Toward a New Paradigm of Neurobiology |quote = The proposal of the existence of a unique or fourth state of consciousness with a basis in physiology (as suggested by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, 1968, p. 192-198) has been a major contribution to the study of human behavior. It has resulted in a myriad of scientific studies, both basic and applied in an area heretofore reserved for “mysticism.” While the answers to basic questions that have arisen as a consequence of this paradigm are not yet agreed upon, progress has been made in this difficult field.}}</ref> More recently, science writer Sharon Begley credited the Maharishi with "helping launch a legitimate new field of neuroscience."<ref name="Begley 18">{{Cite journal | first=Sharon | last=Begley | title=His Magical Mystery Tour | magazine=Newsweek | date=February 18, 2008 | page=18 | quote=Whatever you think of the 'White Album,' give the Maharishi credit for helping launch what's become a legitimate new field of neuroscience.}}</ref>

In the 1980s, researchers at MUM began a series of randomized controlled trials on the effects of TM on blood pressure in collaboration with hospitals and medical centers around the country. The first studies were published in '']'', a journal of the ], in 1995 and 1996, and, based on those results, the ] funded additional clinical trials on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and on individuals suffering from cardiovascular disease.<ref name=Freeman2009/> These studies were conducted in collaboration with researchers at eight other universities.<ref name="Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI 2006 S4–15–26" /><ref>{{Cite journal | author = David W. Orme-Johnson, Vernon A. Barnes, Alex M. Hankey, Roger A. Chalmers| year = 2005| month = | title = Reply to critics of research on Transcendental Meditation in the prevention and control of hypertension | journal = Journal of Hypertension | volume = 23 | issue = | pages = 1107–111 | id = | url = http://www.lebensqualitaet-technologien.de/Orme-Johnson/Orme-Johnson%202005%20Reply%20to%20Critics,%20J%20Hypt.pdf | quote = The six RCTs were co-authored by 10 independent collaborators from Harvard University and the University of Maryland , West Oakland Health Center, University of Arkansas, and the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic , University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , and the Georgia Institute for Prevention of Human Disease and the Medical College of Georgia . }}</ref>

In 1987, the first of several published studies on TM and health care costs was published in ''Psychosomatic Medicine''.<ref name="Freeman2009">{{cite book |first=Lyn |last=Freeman |title=Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |year=2009 |pages=166|isbn=978-0-323-05346-4 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref name="Bodeker 2007 25">{{Cite book| last = Bodeker| first = Gerard| editor = Gerard Bodeker| others = Gemma Burford| title = Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Policy and Public Health Perspectives | year = 2007 | publisher = Imperial College Press| location = London| id = 186094616X| pages = 25| chapter = 1| chapterurl = http://books.google.ca/books?id=r-cD9ZufO2kC&pg=PA25&dq=Bodeker++medical+quebec&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sqLFT4DxMcOg2AXyoqTgAQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Bodeker%20%20medical%20quebec&f=false | quote = }}</ref>
In 1989, Charles Alexander at MUM and Ellen Langer at Harvard University published the first research on mortality rates in TM subjects in a three-year study of nursing home residents.<ref name="Freeman2009">{{cite book |first=Lyn |last=Freeman |title=Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |year=2009 |pages=166–167|isbn=978-0-323-05346-4 |ref=harv}}</ref> That same year, Stanford University researcher Kenneth Eppley and colleagues published a meta-analysis of research on anxiety in TM practitioners.<ref name="Freeman2009">{{cite book |first=Lyn |last=Freeman |title=Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |year=2009 |pages=168|isbn=978-0-323-05346-4 |ref=harv}}</ref>

In 1999, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) awarded Maharishi University of Management $8 million to establish the first research center specializing in natural preventive medicine for minorities in the United States, collaborating with the University of Iowa College of Medicine, the Morehouse School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.<ref>{{cite book |last= Keegan |first= Lynn |authorlink= |title= Healing with Complementary and Alternative Therapies |url= http://books.google.ca/books?id=JF5STWO2qtQC&pg=PA68&dq=Lynn+Keegan+maharishi&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DLFIUcG3LYnTigKv9oHYCg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Lynn%20Keegan%20maharishi&f=false |year= |publisher= Delmar (Thomson Learning, Inc)|location= Albany, NY|isbn= 0-7668-1890-X|page= 68}}</ref> As of 2013, the NIH had awarded more than $25 million to Maharishi University of Management to fund research.<ref name="Winter">{{cite magazine |last=Winter |first=Caroline |title=Transcendental Meditation May Help Stressed Vets |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=February 6, 2013 |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-06/transcendental-meditation-may-help-stressed-vets}}</ref>

The university continues a policy of active collaboration with researchers from other universities. American University professor David Haaga, who collaborated with TM researchers on six studies published 2009-2011,<ref>Studies coauthored by David Haaga include:<br>Fred Travis, David A. F. Haaga, et al, "A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation practice," COGNITIVE PROCESSING Volume 11, Number 1, 21-30, 2010<br> Fred Travis, David A.F. Haaga, et al, "Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning and stress reactivity in college students," International Journal of Psychophysiology Volume 71, Issue 2, February 2009, Pages 170-176 <br>Sanford I. Nidich , Maxwell V. Rainforth , David A.F. Haaga, et al, "A Randomized Controlled Trial on Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Blood Pressure, Psychological Distress, and Coping in Young Adults," American Journal of Hypertension 22, 1326–1331 (1 December 2009) <br> Travis Fred, Haaga, David A. F., et al, "A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation practice," Cognitive processing 2010, vol. 11, no1, pp. 21-30 <br> Melissa A. Tanner, Fred Travis, Carolyn Gaylord-King, David A. F. Haaga, et al, "The Effects of the transcendental meditation program on mindfulness," Journal of Clinical Psychology, Special Issue: Mindfulness, Volume 65, Issue 6, pages 574–589, June 2009 <br> David A.F. Haaga, et al, "Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Substance Use among University Students," Cardiology Research and Practice, vol. 2011, no. 537101, pages1-8</ref> said that such collaboration helps to ensure that procedures to minimize bias are given highest priority in the research.<ref name="Haaga 66–68">{{cite journal | first=David | last=Haaga | title=A Timely Reminder on Research Design and Interpretation | journal=Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice | volume= 15 | issue=1 | pages=66–68}}</ref>

In 2000, the American Heart Association journal ''Stroke'' published research on atherosclerosis in TM subjects.<ref>{{Cite journal |first1=Elissa |last1=Epel |first2=Jennifer |last2=Daubenmier |first3=Judith |last3=Tedlie Moskowitz |first4=Susan |last4=Folkman |first5=Elizabeth |last5=Blackburn |title=Can Meditation Slow Rate of Cellular Aging? Cognitive Stress, Mindfulness, and Telomeres |journal=Longevity, Regeneration, and Optimal Health: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=1172 |pages=34–53 |year=2009 |pmid=19735238 |doi=10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04414.x |pmc=3057175}} Quotation: "TM has been linked to reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors and in controlled trials, has reduced blood pressure (study cited) and carotid artery atherosclerosis"</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| first = Amparo | last = Castillo-Richmond| coauthors = Schneider, Robert H.; Alexander, Charles N.; Cook, Robert ; Myers, Hector; Nidich, Sanford; Haney, Chinelo; Rainforth, Maxwell; Salerno, John | year = 2000| title = Effects of Stress Reduction on Carotid Atherosclerosis in Hypertensive African Americans | journal = Stroke | volume = 31 | issue = 3 | pages = 568–73 | url = http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/strokeaha;31/3/568 |accessdate=May 5, 2011 | pmid = 10700487}}</ref> In 2006 researchers published the first randomized controlled trial examining TM and insulin resistance.<ref name="John Vogel 2007">John Vogel, Rebecca Costello, and Mitchell Krucoff, Chapter 47 in ''Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine'', Peter Libbie, et al, eds, Saunders Elsevier, 2007, p. 1157. Quotation: "TM has been shown not only to improve blood pressure but also the insulin resistance components of the metabolic syndrome and cardiac autonomic nervous system tone."</ref>

Research on the Transcendental Meditation technique, "a scientifically framed, tradition-based technique,"<ref>{{cite book |last=Loizzo |first=Joseph |chapter=Meditation and Psychotherapy: Stress, Allostasis, and Enriched Learning |title=Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Psychiatry |editor-last=Muskin |editor-first=Philip |publisher=American Psychiatric Press |year=2000 |pages=153–154 |location=Washington, DC | quote=Western conceptions about Indian meditation were shaped by the introduction of Transcendental Meditation, a scientifically framed, tradition-based technique....}}</ref> has been recognized as playing a significant role in the history of mind-body medicine.<ref name=Bushell>{{cite news| author=William Bushell |title=Longevity Potential Life Span and Health Span Enhancement through Practice of the Basic Yoga Meditation Regimen |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=1172 | year=2009 |page=21 | quote=Since the early "classic" studies on metabolic rate in meditators (e.g. Wallace et al.12) to the present, the preponderance of evidence suggests that forms of meditation intended to reduce overall systemic arousal, or in other terminology to elicit the relaxation response, do in fact lower metabolic rate.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |editor1=Stephen Devries |editor2=James Dalen | title = Integrative Cardiology| date = | year = 2011| publisher = Oxford University Press| location = New York| id = 978-0195383461| pages = 237| chapter = The Integrative Approach to Hypertension, Ch. 11 | quote =TM was brought to the west in the late 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a visionary Indian sage trained in physics, who saw meditation as a means of alleviating stress in individuals and society. His emphasis on scientific research proved that the timeless practice of meditation was not just an arcane mystical activity for Himalayan recluses, but rather a mind-body method hugely relevant to and beneficial for modern society}}</ref><ref name="Harrington 2008 20">{{cite book |first=Anne |last=Harrington |title=The Cure Within: A History of Mind-Body Medicine |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company |year=2008 |location=New York |page=20 | quote=This chapter explores three contrapuntal and distinct moments in this process, the historical emergence of three variants employing the basic 'Eastward journeys' template in mind-body medicine: the medicalization of meditation, especially transcendental meditation, in the 1970s....}}</ref> According to The Encyclopedia of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, TM research has been conducted at 200 different research institutions and universities in 27 countries.<ref name="Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI 2006 S4–15–26">{{Cite journal|author=Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI |title=Cardiovascular disease prevention and health promotion with the transcendental meditation program and Maharishi consciousness-based health care |journal=Ethnicity & Disease |volume=16 |issue=3 Suppl 4 |pages=S4–15–26 |year=2006 |pmid=16938913 |pmc=2267926 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref name="Facts on File">{{Cite book| editor = Tova Navarra |year=2004 |publisher=Facts on File |location=New York |url=http://books.google.ca/books?id=2DVkLvadpYgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+encyclopedia+of+complementary+and+alternative+medicine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ODzGUMyhCsnriQLorYCwDg&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAA#v=snippet&q=200%20universities&f=false |title=The Encyclopedia of Complementary and Alternative Medicine |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| first = Vernon A. | last =Barnes | coauthors = David W. Orme-Johnson| year = 2012| title = Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescents and Adults through the Transcendental Meditation® Program: A Research Review Update| journal = Current Hypertension Reviews| volume = 8}}<!-- |accessdate=November 22, 2012--></ref> As of 2012, 340 peer-reviewed studies on TM had been published.<ref name="Rosenthal 2011 14">{{cite book |first=Norman |last=Rosenthal |title=Transcendence: Healing and Transformation through Transcendental Meditation |publisher=Tarcher/Penguin |year=2011 |page=14 |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58542-873-1 | url = http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ssJ6jU0YeNEC&oi=fnd&pg=PT12&dq=Transcendence:+Healing+and+Transformation+through+Transcendental+Meditation+&ots=m21SjjiK0C&sig=QIsnkZLDlWvOgFhDQfi5NAkRPWI#v=onepage&q=340&f=false | quote = By my latest count, there have been 340 peer-reviewed articles published on TM, many of which have appeared in highly respected journals.}}</ref>

==Health outcomes==

===Cardiovascular disease===
In 2013, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement that reviewed existing research of the effects of alternate treatments, including various meditation and relaxation techniques, on hypertension, and concluded that the overall evidence supports that TM modestly lowers blood pressure. The statement went on to say that TM may be considered in clinical practice to lower BP while due to "many negative studies or mixed results and a paucity of available trials, all other meditation techniques (including ]) received a Class III, no benefit, Level of Evidence C recommendation Thus, other meditation techniques are not recommended in clinical practice to lower BP" at the time of the report.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brook|first=Robert D|coauthors=Lawrence J. Appel, Melvyn Rubenfire, Gbenga Ogedegbe, John D. Bisognano, William J. Elliott, Flavio D. Fuchs, Joel W. Hughes, Daniel T. Lackland, Beth A. Staffileno, Raymond R. Townsend and Sanjay Rajagopalan|title=Beyond Medications and Diet: Alternative Approaches to Lowering Blood Pressure : A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association|journal=Hypertension|year=2013|month=April|doi=10.1161/HYP.0b013e318293645f|url=http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/early/2013/04/22/HYP.0b013e318293645f.full.pdf}}</ref>

A 2007 ] and ] funded by the NIH Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that the effects of TM were no greater than health education regarding ], body weight, ], stress, anger, self-efficacy, ], dietary intake, or level of physical activity.<ref name="Ospina p.4">{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.'' |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |volume= |issue=155 |pages=1–263 |year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17764203 |url= |ref=harv| quote = A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake}}</ref> The report emphasized the poor scientific quality of published research on meditation, which made it difficult to draw any firm conclusions.

A 2007 review said that data from two studies found reduced mortality from all causes over a mean period of eight years in subjects practicing Transcendental Meditation, compared to controls. In both studies, the controls practiced relaxation techniques, and in one study TM was compared with health education. The review said that its findings are consistent with other research that has found improved blood pressure, insulin resistance, and cardiac autonomic-nervous-system tone in subjects with cardiovascular disease. The review concluded that ] interventions are effective in alleviating distress in cardiovascular patients but that further research is needed to firmly establish that these interventions can affect disease processes, morbidity, and mortality.<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1097/YCO.0b013e3280147724|first1=Erin M. |last1=Fekete|first2=Michael H. |last2=Antoni |last3=Neil |first3=Schneiderman|title=Psychosocial and behavioral interventions for chronic medical conditions|journal=Current Opinion in Psychiatry |year=2007|volume=20|issue=2|pages=152–157|pmid=17278914}} Quotation:". . . compared to control groups, men and women in a transcendental meditation group revealed lower all-cause mortality over a mean duration of 8 years. Consistent with these findings, after 4 months of transcendental-meditation training, men showed significant changes in blood pressure and insulin sensitivity even after controlling for changes in weight, medication and psychological well being."</ref> Independent research reviews also note that a 2000 study published in ] found that Transcendental Meditation, compared to health education, reduces ].<ref>{{Cite journal |first1=Elissa |last1=Epel |first2=Jennifer |last2=Daubenmier |first3=Judith |last3=Tedlie Moskowitz |first4=Susan |last4=Folkman |first5=Elizabeth |last5=Blackburn |title=Can Meditation Slow Rate of Cellular Aging? Cognitive Stress, Mindfulness, and Telomeres |journal=Longevity, Regeneration, and Optimal Health: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=1172 |pages=34–53 |year=2009 |pmid=19735238 |doi=10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04414.x |pmc=3057175}}Quotation: "TM has been linked to reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors and in controlled trials, has reduced blood pressure (study cited) and carotid artery atherosclerosis"</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Craig |last=Hassed |title=Complementary therapies for cerebrovascular disease |journal=Australian Family Physician |volume=36 |issue=11 |date=November 2007 |page=921 |pmid= 18043778}} "A study by Castillo-Richmond examined the effect of transcendental meditation and found reversal of carotid atherosclerosis and consequent reduction in risk for cerebrovascular events. This was not explainable by other risk factors controlled for in the study."</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Coleman |last=Pratt |title=Alternative Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, Part 2 |journal=Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice |volume=37 |year=2010 |page=346 |pmid=20493340 |doi=10.1016/j.pop.2010.02.010 |issue=2}} Quotation: "Researchers . . . found that participants were able to demonstrate regression of coronary arterial plaques (atherosclerosis) after practicing TM twice a day for 6 to 9 months, compared to patients who received simple health education. . . . Researchers at the State University of New York also found that CAD (cardiovascular disease) could be improved with regular TM."</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| last = Kotsirilos
| first = Vicki
| coauthors = Luis Vitetta, Avni Sali
| title = A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine
| year = 2011
| publisher = Elsevier Australia
| location = Chatswood, NSW
| isbn = 0729539083
| pages = 251
| chapter = Cardiovascular Disease
| chapterurl = http://books.google.ca/books?id=ISZY-PQv_ggC&pg=PA251&dq=Effects+of+Stress+Reduction+on+Carotid+Atherosclerosis+in+Hypertensive+African+Americans&lr=&cd=15#v=onepage&q=transcendental%20meditation&f=false
| quote = The transcendental meditation group showed a significant reduction in carotid atherosclerosis compared with an increase in the control group.
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Amparo
| last = Castillo-Richmond
| coauthors = Schneider, Robert H.; Alexander, Charles N.; Cook, Robert ; Myers, Hector; Nidich, Sanford; Haney, Chinelo; Rainforth, Maxwell; Salerno, John
| year = 2000
| title = Effects of Stress Reduction on Carotid Atherosclerosis in Hypertensive African Americans
| journal = Stroke
| volume = 31
| issue = 3
| pages = 568–73
| url = http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/strokeaha;31/3/568
| accessdate = May 5, 2011
| pmid = 10700487
}}</ref>

A 2006 independent systematic review said, "a small body of research suggests that TM and group-oriented stress management may be effective in reducing psychosocial stress and its effects for African Americans..." The findings include reduced sleep dysfunction and increased health locus of control. The review noted a finding of reduced mortality in African Americans in comparison to a standard relaxation technique. The reviewer said that of the six studies on African-Americans involving TM, one showed no improvement, and only two used ]; however all were randomized controlled trials. The study also found that in ] populations, several meta-analyses indicate that TM reduces anxiety, smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, and improves psychological health.<ref>{{Cite journal | first = Yin | last = Paradies | title = A Review of Psychosocial Stress and Chronic Disease for 4th World Indigenous Peoples and African Americans| year = 2006 | month = Winter | date = | journal = Ethnicity and Disease | volume = 16 | pages = 295, 302, 305| url = http://www.ishib.org/ED/journal/16-1/ethn-16-01-295.pdf |accessdate=March 31, 2011}} (independent systematic review) Quotation: "In general, TM was more effective that PMR (progressive muscle relaxation) in an eight-year follow-up of 530 African American participants which found a 63% reduction in all-cause mortality and an 82% reduction in heart disease mortality in the intervention group compared to the control groups. . . . Six randomized conrolled studies . . . used TM as the intervention, with PMR also used as a secondary intervention in several trials . . . Compared to the control group, those who undertook the TM intervention had decreased carotid intima-media thickness, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output, anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep dysfunction, as well as increased energy, general mental health, and health locus of control.</ref>

A 2004 research review by Canter and Ernst said that there was "insufficient good-quality evidence to conclude whether or not TM has a cumulative positive effect on blood pressure".<ref name="Canter PH, Ernst E 2004 2049–54">{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |year=2004 |month=November |pmid=15480084 |url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2049 |ref=harv |doi=10.1097/00004872-200411000-00002}}</ref> A 2008 meta-analysis of nine studies found a 4.7 mmHg systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mmHg diastolic blood pressure decrease in those who practiced TM compared to control groups that included health education. These decreases were judged to be clinically significant.<ref>{{Cite book
| authorlink =
| editor1=Stephen Devries
| editor2=James Dalen
| title = Integrative Cardiology
| date = | year = 2011
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| location = New York
| id = 978-0195383461
| pages = 236, 237
| chapter = The Integrative Approach to Hypertension, Ch. 11
| chapterurl = }}</ref> Three of the studies were assessed as good quality, three as acceptable, and three suboptimal, with subgroup analyses finding no significant difference among the results of the weaker and stronger studies.<ref name=Anderson08>{{Cite journal|author=Anderson JW, Liu C, Kryscio RJ |title=Blood pressure response to transcendental meditation: a meta-analysis |journal=Am. J. Hypertens. |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=310–6 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18311126 |doi=10.1038/ajh.2007.65 |url= |ref=harv}}</ref> The review and its primary author were partially funded by Howard Settle,<ref name=Anderson08/> a proponent of TM.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.deutsche-nachrichten-agentur.de/de/verzeichnis/wirtschaft/investitionen/524625052 |title=Yogic Flyers, Create Invincible America today|first=Howard |last=Settle|publisher=Deutsche Nachrichten Agentur |accessdate=September 2, 2010 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5sSdEsRzp|archivedate=September 2, 2010}}</ref> The meta-analysis was cited by a 2011 research review in the ''Journal of Clinical Hypertension.''<ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Kevin J
| last = Woolf
| authorlink =
| coauthors = John D. Bisognano,
| year = 2011
| month = June
| title = Nondrug Interventions for Treatment of Hypertension
| quote = As with acupuncture, studies regarding meditation's
effects on BP have been fairly heterogeneous. In a metaanalysis,
transcendental meditation appeared to lower
SBP by 4.7 mm Hg.51 (refers to 2008 Anderson et al metaanalysis) Other techniques that may show
benefit include Zen Buddhist meditation and Qi Gong.52
| journal = The Journal of Clinical Hypertension
| pages = 3, 4
| doi = 10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00524.x
}}</ref>

A 2007 meta-analysis by researchers at Maharishi University of Management and the University of Kentucky found that TM significantly lowered blood pressure but that biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, and stress management training did not.<ref name=Rainforth>{{Cite journal|first1=Maxwell |last1=Rainforth| first2=Schneider |last2=RH|last3=Nidich|first3=SI|last4=Gaylord-King |first4=C|last5=Salerno |first5=JW|last6=Anderson |first6=JW|title=Stress Reduction Programs in Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis|journal=Current Hypertension Reports |year=2007|month=December|volume=9|pmid=18350109 |pmc=2268875|issue=6 |doi=10.1007/s11906-007-0094-3 |pages=520–528}}</ref><ref name="Spruill 2010 14">{{Cite journal|first=Tanya M |last=Spruill|title=Chronic Psychosocial Stress and Hypertension|journal=Curr Hypertens Rep|year=2010|volume=12|page=14}}</ref> Referring to this meta-analysis and two other studies, a 2012 medical book says that "Efficacy of TM in lowering blood pressure has led to its consideration as both a legitimate recommendation for patients with elevated blood pressure to prevent the development of essential hypertension, and as a treatment option among those diagnosed with essential hypertension and CHD." <ref>{{Cite book
| editor = Ellen A. Dornelas
| title = Stress Proof the Heart: Behavioral Interventions for Cardiac Patients
| accessdate = May 25, 2012
| year = 2012
| month = January
| publisher = Springer
| location = New York
| id = 1441956492
| pages = 231
| chapter = The Effects of Yoga and Meditation on Cardiovascular Disease
| chapterurl = http://books.google.ca/books?id=IE8wTDwYKz0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Stress+proof+the+heart&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SAjAT6m0MOmQiALyy-n5Bw&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAA#v=snippet&q=TM%20hypertension&f=false
| quote =
}}</ref>

A 2009 review reported on research by MUM graduate Vernon Barnes and his colleagues at the ] on variables related to blood pressure that found that, compared to an eyes-closed relaxation control group, the TM group had increased cardiac output and decreased peripheral resistance as well as decreased systolic blood pressure.<ref name=Olivo>{{cite journal |first=Erin |last=Olivo |title=Protection throughout the Life Span: The Psychoneuroimmunologic Impact of Indo-Tibetan Meditative and Yogic Practices |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |issue=1172 |pages=163–171 |year=2009}} "In perhaps the only controlled study investigating the impact of meditation on TPR (total peripheral resistance), subjects in the TM group exhibited significantly decreased TPR and SBP compared with increases in the eyes-closed relaxation control group."</ref>

A 2012 research review in the ''International Journal of Clinical Practice'' says that “transcendental meditation (TM), has been widely studied in the scientific literature with results supporting its usefulness for treating a variety of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors,” and warrants further study.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=B.G. |last1=Schwartz |first2=W.J. |last2=French |first3=G.S. |last3=Mayeda |first5=S. |last4=Burstein |first5=C. |last5=Economides |first6=A.K. |last6=Bhandari |first7=D.S. |last7=Cannom |first8=R.A. |last8=Kloner |title=Emotional Stressors Trigger Cardiovascular Events: Review Article |journal=International Journal of Clinical Practice |volume=66 |issue=7 |pages= 639 |year=2012 |doi= 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.02920.x}}</ref>

===Cardiovascular function in students===
A 2009 independent systematic review and a 2010 narrative review reported on several randomized controlled trials on school students that found an improvement in blood pressure and cardiovascular function in the TM group compared to health education. In addition, they reported on a randomized controlled trial on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes that compared TM to health education and found that the TM group had decreased absentee periods, rule infractions, and suspension days, but found no difference in the TM and control groups in regard to tardiness, lifestyle, or stress. The 2010 review concluded that "Studies of TM's effect in youth on cardiovascular risk, cognition, affect, and behavior are promising, but larger, more definitive comparative effectiveness research is needed." The 2009 review said that because of limitations of the research, larger-scale and more demographically diverse studies need to be done to clarify treatment efficacy." <ref name=peds09>{{Cite journal|author=Black DS, Milam J, Sussman S |title=Sitting-Meditation Interventions Among Youth: A Review of Treatment Efficacy |journal=Pediatrics/American Academy of Pediatrics|volume= 124|issue= 3|pages= e536|year=2009 |month=August |pmid=19706568 |doi=10.1542/peds.2008-3434 |url= |ref=harv}} (independent systematic review) Quotation: "TM group decreased from before to after test in SBP (systolic blood pressure), HR (heart rate) and CO (cardiac output) during acute stress simulation, and in SBP to a social stressor compared to controls . . . . " "Study design: RCT: TM (n=17) vs health education control (n=18)" ; "TM group increased EDAD compared to controls, indicating improved endothelial function." "Study design: RCT: TM (n=57) vs health education control (n=54)"</ref><ref name="Sibinga2010">{{cite journal|last=Sibinga|first=EM|coauthors=Kemper, KJ|title=Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: meditation practices for pediatric health|journal=Pediatrics in review / American Academy of Pediatrics|date=2010 Dec|volume=31|issue=12|pages=e95–e96|pmid=21123509|doi=10.1542/pir.31-12-e91}} Quotation: TM group had greater decrease in SBP (systolic blood pressure) HR (heart rate) and CO (cardiac output) reactivity to simulated card driving stressor . . . ." "Design and Training Period: Random assignment to health education control or TM practiced 15 min twice a day . . . ." (p. e96)</ref>

Scientific texts in 2011 and 2012 reported a 2009 study by MUM and American University researchers on 298 college students that found decreased blood pressure in the TM group that was associated with a reduction in stress and hostility, and an increase in coping.<ref name="Academic Press"/><ref>{{Cite book
| last = Harrington
| first = Rick
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| editor =
| others =
| title = Stress, Health and Well-Being: Thriving in the 21st Century
| origdate =
| origyear =
| origmonth =
| url =
| format =
| edition =
| date =
| year = 2012
| month = November
| publisher = Wadsworth Cengage Learning
| location = Belmont, CA
| language =
| id =
| pages = 436
| chapter =
| chapterurl =
| quote =
}}</ref>

==Mental function==

===ADHD===
A 2010 ] and ] by the ] was unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy (including TM) for ] due to the lack of suitable evidence.<ref name="Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N 2010 CD006507">{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue= 6|pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |url=|editor1-last=Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first=Thawatchai}}</ref>

===Anxiety===
Seventy studies on TM were included in a 1989 meta-analysis conducted by a ] physicist and longtime TM practitioner and two past members of the MUM faculty which found that relaxation techniques reduce ] and that Transcendental Meditation had a larger ] than the other relaxation techniques used in the studies.<ref>{{Cite journal |first1=Kenneth |last1=Eppley |first2=Allan |last2=Abrams |first3=Jonathan |last3=Shear |title=Differential effects of relaxation techniques on trait anxiety: A meta-analysis |journal=Journal of Clinical Psychology |volume=45 |issue=6 |year=1989 |pages=957–974 |pmid=2693491 |doi=10.1002/1097-4679(198911)45:6<957::AID-JCLP2270450622>3.0.CO;2-Q}}</ref><ref>For background of researchers, see:<br>{{cite news |url=http://archive.tm.org/news/stanford_u.html |archivedate=February 28, 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wqUju1N2 |title=Transcendental Meditation best against stress, study shows |first=Joel |last=Shurkin |work=The Stanford University Campus Report |date=April 4, 1990 |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 22, 2013}}<br>{{cite journal|title=Kohlbergian Cosmic Perspective Responses, EEG Coherence, and the TM and TM-Sidhi Programme |author=Sanford I. Nidich; Robert A. Ryncarz; Allan I. Abrams; David Orme-Johnson; Robert Keith Wallace|date=October 1983 |journal=Journal of Moral Education|volume=12|issue=3|url=http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a746540676}}<br>{{cite web|title=Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies: Staff & Advisors |url=http://www.sbinstitute.com/staff.html |archivedate=February 28, 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wqW18tGH |year=2005 |publisher=sbinstitute.com |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 22, 2013}}</ref> The meta-analysis was criticized in a 2003 editorial by Peter Canter because it included studies with no control groups,<ref>{{Cite journal |first=Peter |last=Canter |title=The therapeutic effects of meditation |journal=BMJ |volume=326 |year=2003 |pages=1049–50 |doi=10.1136/bmj.326.7398.1049 |pmid=12750183 |issue=7398 |pmc=1125975}}</ref> while a 2009 textbook on research-based alternative medicine characterized it as "thorough and well designed."<ref name=Freeman2009/>

A 2012 medical textbook reporting the findings of a 2007 systematic review and meta-analysis, said, "TM has been shown to have a beneficial impact on psychosocial stress and anxiety . . ." <ref>{{Cite book
| editor = Ellen A. Dornelas
| title = Stress Proof the Heart: Behavioral Interventions for Cardiac Patients
| accessdate = May 25, 2012
| year = 2012
| month = January
| publisher = Springer
| location = New York
| id = 1441956492
| pages = 227
| chapter = The Effects of Yoga and Meditation on Cardiovascular Disease
| chapterurl = http://books.google.ca/books?id=IE8wTDwYKz0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Stress+proof+the+heart&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SAjAT6m0MOmQiALyy-n5Bw&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=transcendental%20meditation&f=false}}</ref>

A 2006 review by the Cochrane collaboration that considered only randomized controlled trials of adults diagnosed with an anxiety disorder found one study on TM that met their criteria,<ref>{{Cite journal | author = Raskin M, Bali LR, Peeke HV |year=1980 |month=Jan |title=Muscle biofeedback and transcendental meditation. A controlled evaluation of efficacy in the treatment of chronic anxiety| journal=Arch Gen Psychiatry |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=93–7 |pmid = 6986134}}</ref> which showed that TM is equivalent to modified ] in reducing anxiety. The review found insufficient evidence to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation for anxiety disorders.<ref name=Cochrane06>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Krisanaprakornkit W, Piyavhatkul N, Laopaiboon M |title=Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=1 |pages=CD004998 |year=2006 |pmid=16437509 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2 |ref=harv|editor1-last=Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first=Thawatchai}}</ref> A 2012 meta-analysis found that TM reduced anxiety.<ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Peter
| last = Sedlmeier
| coauthors = Eberth, Juliane; Schwarz, Marcus; Zimmermann, Doreen; Haarig, Frederik; Jaeger, Sonia; Kunze, Sonja
| year = 2012
| month = May
| title = The Psychological Effects of Meditation: A Meta-Analysis
| quote = Comparatively strong effects for TM (compared to the two other approaches) were found in reducing negative emotions, trait anxiety, and neuroticism, . . . This finding is consistent with prior meta-analyses that found superior effects of TM in trait anxiety . . .
| journal = Psychological Bulletin
| pages = 19
| doi = 10.1037/a0028168
| url = http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2012-12792-001/
| accessdate = August 9, 2012
}}</ref> A 2012 systematic review and meta-analyses that included three studies on TM found, overall, that meditation reduces anxiety.<ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Kevin W.
| last = Chen
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Christine C. Berger, Eric Manheimer, Darlene Forde, Jessica Magidson, Laya Dachman, C. W. Lejuez
| year = 2012
| month = June
| title = Meditative Therapies for Reducing Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
| journal = Depression and Anxiety
| volume = 29
| issue = 7
| pages = 1, 11–12
| doi = 10.1002/da.21964
}}</ref>

According to research reviews and a 2009 psychology textbook, three studies conducted by a Maharishi University of Management doctoral student and reported in 2001 in the scholarly journal '']'' found that TM reduced anxiety compared to simple rest, contemplative meditation, and no treatment. A randomized controlled trial involving 154 high school students in China found that TM reduced anxiety compared to a control group that simply lay down to rest or sleep. The study was twice replicated with Chinese and Taiwanese students.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Sibinga|first=EM|coauthors=Kemper, KJ|title=Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: meditation practices for pediatric health|journal=Pediatrics in review / American Academy of Pediatrics|date=2010 Dec|volume=31|issue=12|pages=e95–e96|pmid=21123509|doi=10.1542/pir.31-12-e91}} Quotation: "In a series of three studies of high school students (n = 372), TM practiced twice daily for 15 to 20 minutes compared with napping resulted in improvements in cognitive tasks and anxiety. Additional small studies have shown associations between TM and beneficial psychological, self-regulatory, and academic outcomes." (p. e95)</ref><ref name=Shapiro-Humanistic /><ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Lopez |editor1-first=Shane |editor2-last=Snyder |editor2-first=C.R. |title=Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2009 |location=New York |chapter=Meditation and Positive Psychology |last=Shapiro |first=Shauna |pages=601–610 |isbn=978-0-19-518724-3|quote = A series of studies by so and Orme-Johnson 92001) examined the effects of TM on cognition. . . . the TM group demonstrated significantly increased practical intelligence, field independence . . . as well as significantly decreased anxiety compared to a control group. The results suggest that TM's effects extend beyond those of ordinary rest.| url = http://books.google.ca/books?ei=toOyT5zmGoTY2gWdms3pCA&id=R8kCoofE8VsC&dq=Oxford+Handbook+of+Positive+Psychology&q=transcendental+meditation#v=snippet&q=transcendental%20meditation&f=false |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 22, 2013}}</ref>

===Cognitive function===
The three studies in the journal ''Intelligence'', characterized by Shauna Shapiro and ] in a 2003 research review as being "well-designed studies", also found that TM improves cognitive performance, including increased practical intelligence, creativity, and speed of information processing.<ref name=Sibinga2010/><ref name=Shapiro-Humanistic>{{Cite journal|first1=Shauna L. |last1=Shapiro |first2=Roger|last2=Walsh |title=An Analysis of Recent Meditation Research and Suggestions for Future Directions|journal=The Humanistic Psychologist|year=2003|volume=31(2–3)|pages=86–114}}</ref> A 2011 review by Shapiro, et al., said the studies "provide good support for the use of TM to enhance several forms of information processing in students."<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Shauna |last1=Shapiro |first2=Kirk |last2=Brown |first3=John |last3=Astin |title=Toward the Integration of Meditation into Higher Education: A Review of Research Evidence |journal=Teachers College Record |volume=113 |issue=3 |date=March 2011 |pages=495–528}}</ref> A 2007 ] and ] funded by the NIH Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analyzed studies that compared TM to no treatment and found that TM produced improvement in verbal creativity.<ref name="Ospina p. 187">Ospina p. 187</ref>

A 2003 review by Peter Canter and ] concluded that evidence does not support a specific or cumulative effect from TM on ]. The review did find positive results in studies that recruited people with favorable opinions of TM, and used passive control procedures.<ref name="Wien Klin Wochenschr.">{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function—a systematic review of randomised controlled trials |journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21–22 |pages=758–66 |year=2003 |month=November |pmid=14743579 |doi= 10.1007/BF03040500|url= |ref=harv}}</ref> However, a 2012 meta-analysis of studies of the psychological effects of TM and other meditations found that expectation didn't play a role in the positive findings.<ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Peter
| last = Sedlmeier
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Eberth, Juliane; Schwarz, Marcus; Zimmermann, Doreen; Haarig, Frederik; Jaeger, Sonia; Kunze, Sonja
| year = 2012
| month = May
| date =
| title = The Psychological Effects of Meditation: A Meta-Analysis
| quote = Participants' expectation: One will probably not find many participants in meditation research who do not expect to have at least some benefit from practicing meditation. People who are associated with a meditation tradition or a certain teacher or group might be especially prone to want to prove that the approach they have chosen works well. Such an effect should be especially pronounced in measures of a more subjective type (such as measures of felt emotions or measures of well-being), and they should be minimized in more objective measures (such as behavioral measures or measures of attention). However, our results do not show such a pattern. Although some of the highest overall effects were obtained in measures of emotions, more objective measures of perception and attention also scored relatively high in comparison to other subjective measures, such as well-being and negative personality traits (see Figure 7). If the different kinds of meditation are compared, differences between more subjective and more objective measures are even less pronounced (see Figure 9). Thus, it appears that participants' expectations might not have played a prominent role in the studies included in our meta-analysis.
| journal = Psychological Bulletin
| volume =
| issue =
| pages = 22
| doi = 10.1037/a0028168
| id =
| url = http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2012-12792-001/
| format =
| accessdate = August 9, 2012
}}</ref> The same 2012 meta-analysis, by Sedlmeier et al., found that TM improves learning, memory, and self-realization.

Walsh, in a 2007 psychotherapy textbook, characterized as "well-designed" a randomized controlled trial which found that TM improved cognitive function and mental health in nursing home residents compared to relaxation, no treatment, and mindfulness training. He writes that other studies have found that TM subjects typically score higher on measures of ], ], coping skills, and moral development.<ref>{{cite book | last=Walsh | first=Roger | chapter=Contemplative Psychotherapies | title=Current Psychotherapies | editor1-last=Corsini | editor1-first=Raymond | editor2-last=Wedding | editor2-first=Danny | editor3-last=Dumont | editor3-first=Frank | edition=8th | publisher=Brooks/Cole | year=2007 | ISBN=0-495-09714-4 | pages=464, 481|quote = One well-designed study demonstrated dramatic effects on elderly retirement home residents . . . those who learned TM performed better on several measures of cognitive function and mental health then residents who were taught relaxation, were given other mental training or were left untreated. . . . Research studies on TM are supportive and suggest that it fosters ego, cognitive development, and moral development, as well as coping skills and self-actualization.| url = http://books.google.ca/books?ei=G4yyT4i2IIibiAKlpODiAw&id=67yuMhJ5ieQC&dq=Current+Psychotherapies&q=%22well-designed%22#v=snippet&q=%22well-designed%22&f=false }}</ref>

===Personality growth===
According to the research review by Shapiro and Walsh, a study involving 120 female subjects found that long-term TM practice may increase positive personality growth, with the subjects in the TM group being more confident, relaxed, ], satisfied, and conscientious, as well as being less anxious, compared to the control group.<ref>{{Cite journal| first = Shauna L.| last = Shapiro| coauthors = Walsh, Roger| year = 2003| title = An Analysis of Recent Meditation Research and Suggestions for Future Directions | journal = The Humanistic Psychologist| volume = 31| issue = 2–3| pages = 86–114. Quotation: "At six-month followup the TM group demonstrated . . . (lists findings re: four mental abilities) . . . as well as significantly reduced anxiety compared to the control group."}}</ref>

==Criminal rehabilitation, addiction==

===Rehabilitation===
Transcendental Meditation has been used in correctional settings, and research has shown a reduction in negative psychological states and ]. According to a 2010 research review, studies involving hundreds of prisoners at ] and ]s in California and ] in Massachusetts found that recidivism rates were reduced by as much as 47%. Overall, the TM prisoners at Folsom were 43% less likely to return to prison compared to control groups. The study at Folsom also looked at anxiety measures and found a sharp reduction compared to controls. The review said that meditation studies may be subject to researcher bias and ], but concluded that policy makers and prison officials may want to implement meditation programs in prisons.<ref>{{Cite journal|first=Samuel |last=Himelstein|title=Meditation Research: The State of the Art in Correctional Settings|journal=International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology|month=March |year=2010|pmid=20332328|doi=10.1177/0306624X10364485|volume=55|issue=4|pages=646–61}}</ref>

===Addiction===
A 2009 review by Dakwar et al. looked at the effect of TM on addiction and noted that while many studies exist, they were conducted by researchers affiliated with Transcendental Meditation and were not randomized controlled trials. Thus the evidence for treating addictive disorders is speculative and inconsistent.<ref name=Dakwar09/> This review also said that although the quasi-religious aspects and cost may deter people, the simplicity of the technique, the physiological changes it induces, and the apparent effectiveness in nonpsychiatric settings merit further study and that "the theoretical basis for meditation's role in addressing substance use disorders is compelling" based on the physiological mechanisms that have been found.<ref name=Dakwar09>{{Cite journal|author=Dakwar E, Levin FR |title=The emerging role of meditation in addressing psychiatric illness, with a focus on substance use disorders |journal=Harv Rev Psychiatry |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=254–67 |year=2009 |pmid=19637074 |doi=10.1080/10673220903149135 |ref=harv |pmc=3109319}}</ref>

The ''Cambridge Textbook of Effective Treatments in Psychiatry'' concurs with Dakwar's assessment, stating that the research to date on TM and substance abuse is mostly dated, and with the exception of a 1994 randomized controlled trial by Taub et al., has been plagued by serious methodological deficiencies. Describing the single 1994 study judged to be of good quality, trial groups assigned TM and biofeedback showed increased abstinence versus the other groups. The authors also reported that in the group practicing TM alone, pre-post mood improved significantly as reflected by higher scores on 5 of 6 scales in a standardized test, compared to increases in 2 of 6 scales for the biofeedback group.<ref>{{Cite book|first1=Elizabeth A.R. |last1=Robinson|first2=Stephen |last2=Strobb|first3=Kirk J.|last3=Brower|editor1-first =Peter |editor1-last=Tyrer|editor2-first=Kenneth R. |editor2-last=Silk|title=Cambridge Textbook of Effective Treatments in Psychiatry|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2008|chapter=Complementary and alternative medicine for alcohol misuse|pages=345–347|quote=The authors also report that, in the TM group pre-post mood improved significantly as reflected by higher scores on 5 of 6 POMS (Profiles of Mood States). For the BF groups, increases occurred in 2 of the 6 scales.}}</ref>

Based on the 1994 study, a textbook on evidence-based adjunctive treatments lists TM as a "probably efficacious" treatment for alcohol abuse disorder.<ref>{{cite book |first1=William |last1=O'Donohue |first2=Nicholas |last2=Cummings |title=Evidence-Based Adjunctive Treatments |publisher=Academic Press |year=2008 |page=191, Table 9.1}}</ref> The same text reports two other randomized controlled trials (RCT's) finding reduced drug or alcohol abuse in TM subjects: a study on college students finding that both TM and karate training reduced drug usage compared to a no-treatment control group, and a study on drug users treated for hepatitis finding a reduction in drug use in the TM group, and an increase in usage in the no-treatment control group.<ref>{{cite book |first1=William |last1=O'Donohue |first2=Nicholas |last2=Cummings |title=Evidence-Based Adjunctive Treatments |publisher=Academic Press |year=2008 |page=188}}</ref>

==Effects on the brain==

===Alpha brain waves and alpha coherence===
Transcendental Meditation has been found to produce specific types of brain waves as measured by ] (EEG). Studies have found that, compared to a ], during meditation there is an increase in ] amplitude followed by a slowing of the alpha frequency and the spread of this to the ]. Alpha brain waves are classically viewed as reflecting a relaxed brain. When compared to control groups using a different relaxation technique, the increase in alpha is similar and integrated alpha amplitude may even decrease compared to a baseline of eyes-closed rest.<ref name=Lutz>{{Cite book | isbn = 978-0-521-85743-7 | editor1-first = Philip David | editor1-last = Zelazo | editor2-first = Morris | editor2-last = Moscovitch | editor3-first = Evan | editor3-last = Thompson | title = The Cambridge handbook of consciousness | year = 2007 | pages = 534–535| publisher = Cambridge University Press}}</ref>

Transcendental Meditation also produces alpha coherence, that is, large-scale integration of frequencies in different parts of the brain. These brain patterns generally suggest a decrease in mental activity and are associated with a relaxed state. This pattern is also sometimes seen while a subject is actively focusing his or her attention on an object or holding some information in mind.<ref name=Lutz/>

In the ''Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness'', Lutz says that claims in TM promotional material that this coherence represents a higher state of consciousness or a more orderly state of the brain and one that is unique to TM may be overstated or premature "because alpha rhythms are ubiquitous and functionally non-specific...." Lutz says "alpha frequencies frequently produce spontaneously moderate to large coherence (0.3–0.8 over large inter-electrode distance). The alpha coherence values reported in TM studies, as a trait in the baseline or during meditation, belong to this same range. Thus a global increase of alpha power and alpha coherence might not reflect a more 'ordered' or 'integrated' experience, as frequently claimed in TM literature, but rather a relaxed, inactive mental state."<ref name=Lutz/> On the other hand, in the book ''The Brain's Alpha Rhythms and the Mind'', Shaw says that the EEG changes in alpha coherence are indeed related to meditation, citing Austin. The coherence is distinguished by appearing in the frontal lobes of the brain and is correlated with mental clarity and changes in respiration.<ref>{{cite book |first=John |last=Shaw |title=The Brain’s Alpha Rhythms and the Mind: A Review of Classical and Modern Studies of the Alpha Rhythm Components of the Electroencephalogram with Commentaries on Associated Neuroscience and Neuropsychology |publisher=Elsevier Science |location=Amsterdam |year=2003 |page=212}}</ref> A 2012 review says that EEG coherence and synchrony is associated with neural integration and communication in the brain, and may be the basis of the positive physiological and clinical effects of TM.<ref name=Jerath>{{cite journal |first1=Ravinder |last1=Jerath |first2=Vernon |last2=Barnes |first3=David |last3=Dillard-Wright |first4=Shivani |last4=Jerath |first5=Brittany |last5=Hamilton |title=Dynamic change of awareness during meditation techniques: neural and physiological correlates |journal=Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |volume=6 |date=September 2012 |pages=1–4 |doi=10.3389/fnhum.2012.00131}}</ref>

===Default mode network===

Transcendental Meditation has been found to activate and to increase
functional connectivity in the brain's ], a network of regions in the brain that are active when the individual is not focused on tasks. The brain is awake and active but in a restful state. The DMN is believed to be the brain substrate for one's sense of self-efficacy,<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Raichle |first1= ME |last2= Snyder |first2= AZ |year= 2007|title= A default mode of brain function: a brief history of an evolving idea |journal= Neuroimage |volume= |issue= 37|pages= 1083–1090|publisher= |doi= |url=}}<!--|accessdate=January 27, 2013--></ref> which has been defined as the individual's belief in his or her ability to succeed in specific situations.<ref>Luszczynska, A., & Schwarzer, R. (2005). Social cognitive theory. In M. Conner & P. Norman (Eds.), Predicting health behaviour (2nd ed. rev., pp. 127-169). Buckingham, England: Open University Press.</ref> TM shows greater activation of the DMN than simply resting with one's eyes closed. By comparison, meditation techniques that involve concentration tend to deactivate the DMN.<ref name=Jerath/>

===States of consciousness===

Research suggests that the practice of TM results in ] states not ordinarily observed and that are associated with enhanced awareness. A state referred to by ] as "transcendental consciousness" and experienced during Transcendental Meditation is characterized as being distinct from the ordinary states of waking, sleeping, and dreaming, and as being a "deeply restful yet fully alert state of inner wakefulness with no object of thought or perception."<ref>{{Cite journal |first1=Patricia |last1=Tassi |first2=Alain |last2=Muzet |title=Defining the states of consciousness |journal=Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews |year=2001 |issue=2 |pages=175–191 |publisher=Pergamon |pmid=11323082 |volume=25 |doi=10.1016/S0149-7634(01)00006-9}}</ref>
Research has found that specific physiological measures correlate with the experience of transcendental consciousness, including lower respiratory rates, greater heart rate variability, higher amplitude alpha brain waves, and greater alpha coherence.<ref name="Shapiro-Humanistic"/>

In addition, a state Maharishi Mahesh Yogi called "cosmic consciousness", may be characterized by the experience of transcendental consciousness outside of meditation and that is present even during sleep. Research on individuals experiencing this state during sleep as a result of practice of TM has found EEG profiles, ] measurements, and ] indicators that suggest there is physiological evidence of this state.<ref name=Shapiro-Humanistic /><ref>{{cite journal |author=Walsh R, Shapiro SL |title=The meeting of meditative disciplines and Western psychology: a mutually enriching dialogue |journal=The American Psychologist |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=227–39 |year=2006 |month=April |pmid=16594839 |doi=10.1037/0003-066X.61.3.227}}</ref> Fred Travis of ] and Joe Tecce of ] have also done research on individuals experiencing transcendental consciousness during activity, finding that they also exhibited brain wave signatures that were different from control groups. In addition, the research suggested more efficient functioning in the frontal cortex of the brain.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=B. Rael |last1=Cahn |first2=John |last2=Polich |title=Meditation States and Traits: EEG, ERP, and Neuroimaging Studies |journal=Psychological Bulletin |volume=132 |issue=2 |year=2006 |pages=180–211 |doi=10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.180 |pmid=16536641}}</ref>

===Epilepsy: kindling or therapy?===

EEG studies have shown an increase in ]s and a dominant pattern of alpha waves in the frontal and occipital lobes. With long-term practice these changes seen in meditation carry over into activity. These changes may enhance brain integration and reduce emotional reactivity.<ref name=Dakwar09/> According to a review by Lansky and St Louis, EEG measurements that show neuronal hypersynchrony are similar to those found in ], leading to concerns about the potential risk of ] of epilepsy from repetitive Transcendental Meditation.<ref name=Epi06>{{Cite journal|author=Lansky EP, St Louis EK |title=Transcendental meditation: a double-edged sword in epilepsy? |journal=Epilepsy Behav |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=394–400 |year=2006 |month=November |pmid=16931164 |doi=10.1016/j.yebeh.2006.04.019 |url= |ref=harv}}</ref> But the authors say clinical studies have found meditation to be a possible antiepileptic therapy. They say that more research is needed "to establish the safety of this technique and its potential efficacy for seizure reduction and improvement of quality of life."<ref name=Epi06/>

===Experience of pain===

A brain imaging study on practitioners of Transcendental Meditation conducted by researchers affiliated with Maharishi University and the University of California at Irvine led by David Orme-Johnson showed that TM decreases activity in the ], ], and ] in response to pain. The tests, which used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) found approximately a 50% reduction in these pain-processing regions of the brain compared to a control group.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Orme-Johnson|first=DW|last2=Schneider|first2=RH|last3=Son|first3=YD|last4=Nidich|first4=S|last5=Cho|first5=Z-H|title=Neuroimaging of meditation’s effect on brain reactivity to pain|journal=NeuroReport|year=2006|issue=17|volume=12|pages=1359–1363}}</ref> The results suggest that, while it does not reduce pain, TM does reduce the emotional distress associated with the experience of pain, resulting in greater tolerance.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Braboszcz|first1=Claire|last2=Hahusseau|first2=Stephanie|last3=Delorme|first3=Arnaud|chapter=Meditation and Neuroscience: From Basic Research to Clinical Practice|editor1-last=Carlstedt |editor1-first=Ronald |title=Handbook of Integrative Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, and Behavioral Medicine: Perspectives, Practices, and Research |publisher=Springer |year=2009 |page=766|isbn=978-0-8261-1094-7}} Quotation: "This study further suggests that TM practice . . . does reduce emotional distress associated with pain, resulting in enhanced tolerance of acute pain. Results of this last study are of particular significance, as they highlight meditation's effects on the regulation of the distress associated with painful feelings."</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Edwards |first1=Robert |first2=Claudia |last2=Campbell |first3=Robert |last3=Jamison |first4=Katja |last4=Wiech |title=The Neurobiological Underpinnings of Coping With Pain |journal=Current Directions in Psychological Science |year=2009 |volume=18 |page=240}}</ref>

==Effects on the physiology==
TM has been found to produce a set of characteristic responses such as reduced respiration, decreased breath volume, decreased ] and ] (hormones associated with stress), increased basal ], and slowed heartbeat.<ref name="Wien Klin Wochenschr." /><ref name=Dakwar09/> Maharishi University researchers Michael Dillbeck and David Orme-Johnson conducted a meta-analysis of 31 studies which found that compared simply resting with eyes closed, TM had a greater effect on parameters associated with rest, such as respiration rate, blood plasma lactate levels, and skin resistance.<ref name=Olivo/><ref name=Shapiro-Humanistic/><ref>{{cite book |first= Angele |last=McGrady |chapter=Relaxation and Meditation |title=Low-Cost Approaches to Promote Physical and Mental Health: Theory, Research, and Practice |editor-first= Luciano |editor-last=L'Abate |pages=161–176 |publisher=Springer |year=2010}}</ref> A 2002 review notes studies showing decreased ], an increase in alpha brain waves, and increased frontal and occipital blood flow, and hormonal changes including to ], ], ], ] and ]s.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Barrows | first1=Kevin | last2=Jacobs | first2=Bradley | title=Mind-Body Medicine: An Introduction and Review of the Literature | journal=Medical Clinics of North America | volume=86 | issue=1 | date=January 2002 | pages=11–31 | quote=Dozens of physiologic studies of variable quality show reduced respiratory rate, reduced skin conductance (surrogate measure of sympathetic tone), decreased total peripheral resistance, increased alpha wave activity on electroencephalogram, increased frontal and occipital blood flow, alterations in the levels of hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, prolactin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, β-endorphins), decreased serum lipid peroxides, decreased β-receptor sensitivity, decreased erythrocyte glycolysis, and decreased serum lactate.}}</ref> The mechanism for the effects of TM has been explained by proponents as being due to greater order in the physiology, decreased stress, and growth of creative intelligence.<ref name="Wien Klin Wochenschr." />

In a 1985 book on religion, Bainbridge and Stark say that articles published in the 1970s suggested "that the original findings had been false or exaggerated".<ref name=Market85>{{cite book |author=Bainbridge, Sims; Stark, Rodney; Bainbridge, William Sims |title=The future of religion: secularization, revival, and cult formation |publisher=Univ. of California Press |location=Berkeley, Calif |year=1985 |pages= |isbn=0-520-05731-7 |oclc= |doi= |url=http://books.google.com/?id=lTzPyvT2yusC&pg=PA285&dq=public+relations+Transcendental+meditation#v=onepage&q=public%20relations%20Transcendental%20meditation&f=false}}</ref> However, in a 2009 research review in the ''Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences'', William Bushell referred to the original research as "classic," and said that the preponderance of evidence has shown a reduction in metabolic rate.<ref name=Bushell>{{cite news| author=William Bushell |title=Longevity Potential Life Span and Health Span Enhancement through Practice of the Basic Yoga Meditation Regimen |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=1172 | year=2009 |page=21}}</ref>

According to the ], "available scientific evidence does not suggest that meditation is effective in treating cancer or any other disease".<ref name=acs>{{cite web
|title=Meditation
|url=http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/mindbodyandspirit/meditation
|publisher=]
|date=November 2008
|deadurl=no |accessdate=October 22, 2013}}
</ref>

==Medical costs==
Public health researchers say that evaluating health insurance records can be an effective means of estimating whether there are cost savings from various approaches to health care.<ref>{{Cite book
| last = Bodeker| first = Gerard| editor = Gerard Bodeker
| others = Gemma Burford
| title = Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Policy and Public Health Perspectives | year = 2007
| publisher = Imperial College Press
| location = London
| id = 186094616X
| pages = 25
| chapter = One: An Overview
| chapterurl = http://books.google.ca/books?id=r-cD9ZufO2kC&pg=PA25&dq=Bodeker++medical+quebec&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sqLFT4DxMcOg2AXyoqTgAQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Bodeker%20%20medical%20quebec&f=false | quote = Evaluating health insurance records can be an effective way of estimating whether there are cost savings from using traditional or complementary health care.}}</ref> According to research reviews, a retrospective, non-randomized study that examined the health care utilization records for over 2,800 subjects in Quebec found that the 1,400 subjects in the TM group needed less health care after learning TM, whereas the control group's need increased. These preliminary findings "suggest the potential for decreased usage and costs among patients using TM."<ref name="Bodeker 2007 25"/>

==Contraindications==
While meditation is usually considered safe for healthy people, there are possible adverse effects. In particular, meditation may be ] for those with psychiatric illnesses. A 2009 research review on TM, Buddhist meditation, and mindfulness meditation states that "t has been reported that meditation can cause depersonalization and derealization, and several reports have found associations between meditation and psychotic states. In general, however, meditation is a safe and well-tolerated practice."<ref name="Dakwar2009">{{cite pmid|19637074|noedit}}</ref> The same paper notes that it is unclear whether persons will respond equally to the same intervention: more generally, as noted in the context of a short anecdotal paper on Trancendental Meditation, "specific techniques produce specific changes in specific patients under specific conditions."<ref name="Lazarus">{{cite pmid|790439|noedit}}</ref>

According to ''Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach'' by Lyn Freeman, for persons with mental health issues, it is best if meditation is introduced in the context of a clinical setting, and those patients who are seriously disturbed should only be introduced to meditation under the supervision of a doctor or psychotherapist. Individuals with moderate symptoms were observed to benefit from the practice.<ref name="Freeman2009">{{cite book |first=Lyn |last=Freeman |title=Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |year=2009 |pages=158–188|isbn=978-0-323-05346-4 |ref=harv}}</ref>

Meditation researcher Patricia Carrington, author of the books ''Freedom in Meditation''<ref name="CarringtonFreedom">{{cite book
| first=P.
| last=Carrington
| title=Freedom in meditation
| year=1977
| publisher=Anchor Press/Doubleday
}}</ref> and ''The Book of Meditation''<ref name=CarringtonBook>{{cite book
| first=P.
| last=Carrington
| title=The book of meditation: The complete guide to modern meditation
| publisher=Element}}</ref> on her website talks about problems from "over-meditation" (e.g. for 3 or more hours at a time) among a Zen practitioner and a TM practitioner. She notes that TM teachers and checkers repeatedly stress the proper amount of time for meditation.<ref>{{cite web |first=Patricia |last=Carrington |title=The Misuse of Meditation |url=http://masteringeft.com/masteringblog/about-meditation/meditation-articles/2247-2/ |accessdate=October 15, 2012}}</ref>

==Research quality==

According to a review by Canter and Ernst, approximately 700 studies have been conducted on Transcendental Meditation, many of which were by researchers affiliated with the Transcendental Meditation organization and/or were not peer reviewed.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials |journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21&ndash;22 |pages=758&ndash;66 |year=2003 |month=November |pmid=14743579 |doi= 10.1007/BF03040500|url= |quote = Our searches have identified 700 published research papers on TM . . .}}</ref> Rosenthal reported that 340 have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.<ref name="Rosenthal 2011 14"/> According to The Encyclopedia of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a substantial amount of the research has been conducted at other universities: 200 different research institutions and universities in 27 countries.<ref name="Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI 2006 S4–15–26">{{Cite journal|author=Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI |title=Cardiovascular disease prevention and health promotion with the transcendental meditation program and Maharishi consciousness-based health care |journal=Ethnicity & Disease |volume=16 |issue=3 Suppl 4 |pages=S4–15–26 |year=2006 |pmid=16938913 |pmc=2267926 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref name="Facts on File"/><ref>Lyn Freeman, ''Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach'', Mosby Elsevier, 2009, p. 497</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| first = Vernon A. | last =Barnes | coauthors = David W. Orme-Johnson| year = 2012
| title = Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Adolescents and Adults through the Transcendental Meditation® Program: A Research Review Update| journal = Current Hypertension Reviews| volume = 8}}<!-- |accessdate=November 22, 2012--></ref> According to an article in the ], Maharishi University of Management (MUM) has conducted research in collaboration with other universities, such as the University of California (Irvine) and the University of Iowa.<ref>{{Cite news | author = Colleen Krantz| title = Maharishi’s medical research gains respect| url = http://www.religionnewsblog.com/567/maharishis-medical-research-gains-respect| publisher = Des Moines Register| date = Aug 26, 2002}}</ref> David Orme-Johnson, a former director of scientific research at Maharishi University, said that a meta-analyses of studies on TM and anxiety found that those studies done by researchers with no connection to TM showed a slightly larger effect than those studies by researchers who had a connection.<ref name="Orme-Johnson DW 2008 1215–21">{{Cite journal|author=Orme-Johnson DW |title=Commentary on the AHRQ report on research on meditation practices in health |journal=Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine |volume=14 |issue=10 |pages=1215–21 |year=2008 |month=December |pmid=19123876 |doi=10.1089/acm.2008.0464 |ref=harv}}</ref>

A 2008 systematic review and meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Kentucky found six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on TM and hypertension that were of either acceptable or high quality.<ref name=Anderson08>{{Cite journal|author=Anderson JW, Liu C, Kryscio RJ |title=Blood pressure response to transcendental meditation: a meta-analysis |journal=Am. J. Hypertens. |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=310–6 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18311126 |doi=10.1038/ajh.2007.65 |url= |ref=harv}}</ref> A 2011 cardiology textbook says these RCTs met strict entry criteria for experimental quality.<ref>{{Cite book |editor1=Stephen Devries |editor2=James Dalen |title=Integrative Cardiology |year=2011 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |id=978-0195383461 |pages=236, 237 |chapter=The Integrative Approach to Hypertension, Ch. 11}}</ref>

Canter and Ernst's 2004 review said that all randomized clinical trials on blood pressure had important methodological weaknesses and were potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |year=2004 |month=November |pmid=15480084|url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2049 |ref=harv |quote=All the randomized clinical trials of TM for the control of blood pressure published to date have important methodological weaknesses and are potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization. |doi=10.1097/00004872-200411000-00002}}</ref> Psychologist and medical researcher Harald Walach said Canter and Ernst applied inappropriate quality standards in this review, leading to false conclusions.<ref>{{Cite journal |first=Harald |last=Walach |coauthors=Marie-Louise Gander Ferrari, Sebastian Sauer, Niko Kohls |year=2012 |month=Feb |title=Mind-Body Practices in Integrative Medicine
|quote=. . . the over-rigid adhesion to allegedly omnivalent quality standards derived from pharmacological trials may sometimes produce false negative conclusions due to the exclusion of studies that are deemed less valid or due to the insufficient expertise of reviewers in the content area itself . (Ref 162 is Canter and Ernst's 2004 review of research on TM and hypertension referenced in this article, and ref 167 is David Orme-Johnson's reply to Canter and Ernst, also referenced in this article.) |journal=religions |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=50–81 |doi=10.3390/rel3010050 |id=2077-1444 |url=http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/3/1/50 |accessdate=August 13, 2012}}</ref> Also, in a reply to Canter and Ernst published in the ''Journal of Hypertension,'' David Orme-Johnson of Maharishi University of Management, said that the methodologies used in these studies were sound because they had been approved in advance by expert reviewers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as part of the "highly competitive" process for procuring NIH funding. He also said that in order to minimize bias, the six studies referred to by Canter and Ernst were conducted in collaboration with 10 independent researchers, working at eight other universities not affiliated with the TM organization, including Harvard University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Arkansas.<ref name="Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI 2006 S4–15–26" /><ref>{{Cite journal | author = David W. Orme-Johnson, Vernon A. Barnes, Alex M. Hankey, Roger A. Chalmers| year = 2005| month = | title = Reply to critics of research on Transcendental Meditation in the prevention and control of hypertension | journal = Journal of Hypertension | volume = 23 | issue = | pages = 1107–111 | id = | url = http://www.lebensqualitaet-technologien.de/Orme-Johnson/Orme-Johnson%202005%20Reply%20to%20Critics,%20J%20Hypt.pdf | quote =The six RCTs were co-authored by 10 independent collaborators from Harvard University and the University of Maryland , West Oakland Health Center, University of Arkansas, and the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic , University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , and the Georgia Institute for Prevention of Human Disease and the Medical College of Georgia . Blood pressure data were collected blind by personnel at independent institutions. The collaborators did not have any particular commitment to TM or the TM organization and none would gain financially from the research results. The studies were funded by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health , the National Institutes of Health, including the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute , the Retirement Research Foundation , and the American Heart Association . Grant proposals from these agencies are subject to stringent peer review under highly competitive conditions, and only those proposals with the best research designs conducted under the most objective conditions are funded.}}</ref> American University professor David Haaga, who has collaborated with TM researchers on six studies published 2009-2011<ref>Studies coauthored by David Haaga include:<br>Fred Travis, David A. F. Haaga, et al, "A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation practice," COGNITIVE PROCESSING Volume 11, Number 1, 21-30, 2010<br> Fred Travis, David A.F. Haaga, et al, "Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning and stress reactivity in college students," International Journal of Psychophysiology Volume 71, Issue 2, February 2009, Pages 170-176 <br>Sanford I. Nidich , Maxwell V. Rainforth , David A.F. Haaga, et al, "A Randomized Controlled Trial on Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Blood Pressure, Psychological Distress, and Coping in Young Adults," American Journal of Hypertension 22, 1326–1331 (1 December 2009) <br> Travis Fred, Haaga, David A. F., et al, "A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation practice," Cognitive processing 2010, vol. 11, no1, pp. 21-30 <br> Melissa A. Tanner, Fred Travis, Carolyn Gaylord-King, David A. F. Haaga, et al, "The Effects of the transcendental meditation program on mindfulness," Journal of Clinical Psychology, Special Issue: Mindfulness, Volume 65, Issue 6, pages 574–589, June 2009 <br> David A.F. Haaga, et al, "Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Substance Use among University Students," Cardiology Research and Practice, vol. 2011, no. 537101, pages1-8</ref> and who is "not committed to a favorable or unfavorable view of its effects," says that such collaboration helps to "ensure that procedures to minimize bias are always given highest priority in the conduct of the research."<ref name="Haaga 66–68"/>

Research on Transcendental Meditation has been published by the ]<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Paul-Labrador M, Polk D, Dwyer JH, ''et al.'' |title=Effects of a randomized controlled trial of transcendental meditation on components of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with coronary heart disease |journal=Archives of Internal Medicine |volume=166 |issue=11 |pages=1218–24 |year=2006 |month=June |pmid=16772250 |doi=10.1001/archinte.166.11.1218 |ref=harv}}</ref> and the ],<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Castillo-Richmond A, Schneider RH, Alexander CN, ''et al.'' |title=Effects of stress reduction on carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive African Americans |journal=Stroke; a Journal of Cerebral Circulation |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=568–73 |year=2000 |month=March |pmid=10700487 |url=http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10700487 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Schneider RH, Staggers F, Alexander CN, ''et al.'' |title=A randomised controlled trial of stress reduction for hypertension in older African Americans |journal=Hypertension |volume=26 |issue=5 |pages=820–7 |year=1995 |month=November |pmid=7591024 |url=http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=7591024 |ref=harv}}</ref> as well as other medical journals such as the ''American Journal of Hypertension'',<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Nidich SI, Rainforth MV, Haaga DA, ''et al.'' |title=A randomized controlled trial on effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on blood pressure, psychological distress, and coping in young adults |journal=American Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=12 |pages=1326–31 |year=2009 |month=December |pmid=19798037 |doi=10.1038/ajh.2009.184 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Schneider RH, Alexander CN, Staggers F, ''et al.'' |title=A randomized controlled trial of stress reduction in African Americans treated for hypertension for over one year |journal=American Journal of Hypertension |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=88–98 |year=2005 |month=January |pmid=15691622 |pmc=2224896 |doi=10.1016/j.amjhyper.2004.08.027 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Barnes VA, Treiber FA, Johnson MH |title=Impact of transcendental meditation on ambulatory blood pressure in African-American adolescents |journal=American Journal of Hypertension |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=366–9 |year=2004 |month=April |pmid=15062892 |doi=10.1016/j.amjhyper.2003.12.008 |ref=harv}}</ref> the ''American Journal of Cardiology'',<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Schneider RH, Alexander CN, Staggers F, ''et al.'' |title=Long-term effects of stress reduction on mortality in persons ≥55 years of age with systemic hypertension |journal=The American Journal of Cardiology |volume=95 |issue=9 |pages=1060–4 |year=2005 |month=May |pmid=15842971 |pmc=1482831 |doi=10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.12.058 |ref=harv}}</ref> and the ''International Journal of Psychophysiology''.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Travis F, Haaga DA, Hagelin J, ''et al.'' |title=Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning and stress reactivity in college students |journal=International Journal of Psychophysiology |volume=71 |issue=2 |pages=170–6 |year=2009 |month=February |pmid=18854202 |doi=10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.09.007 |ref=harv}}</ref>

A 2007 ] of research on ], including Transcendental Meditation, said that firm conclusions on health effects cannot be drawn, as the majority of the studies are of poor methodological quality.<ref name="Ospina p.v">Ospina p.v</ref> The review, funded by the NIH Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and authored by Ospina et al., included studies on adults through September 2005, with a particular focus on research pertaining to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.'' |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evidence Report/technology Assessment |volume= |issue=155 |pages=1–263 |year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17764203 |url=http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf |ref=harv}}</ref> The review used the ] to assess the quality of the studies using control groups and ] for the others. The quality assessment portion of the 2007 review was published in 2008. The article stated that "Most clinical trials on meditation practices are generally characterized by poor methodological quality with significant threats to ] in every major quality domain assessed."<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.'' |title=Clinical trials of meditation practices in health care: characteristics and quality |journal=Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine |volume=14 |issue=10 |pages=1199–213 |year=2008 |month=December |pmid=19123875 |doi=10.1089/acm.2008.0307 |ref=harv}}</ref>

A 2012 systematic review of meditative therapies for anxiety by Chen et al. is critical of quality assessment used by previous reviews, including the 2007 review by Ospina et al., mentioned above. Chen et al. said that in general, reviews of meditation research have applied evaluation criteria based on pharmaceutical RCT's with a resulting tendency to "underestimate the actual quality of the studies." For example, Ospina et al. found only 10 percent of studies on meditation to be of good quality, whereas Chen et al. found meditation studies to mostly acceptable, and rated 40 percent to be of good quality. They found that the overall quality of meditation research increased substantially after 2006, and said that for this reason also, less recent reviews (such as Ospina et al., which considered research up until Sept. 2005) will tend to report lower quality in meditation research.<ref>{{Cite journal | first = Kevin W. | last = Chen | coauthors =Christine C. Berger, Eric Manheimer, Darlene Forde, Jessica Magidson, Laya Dachman, C. W. Lejuez | year = 2012 | month = June| title = Meditative Therapies for Reducing Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials | quote =. . . the majority of existing reviews have applied evaluation criteria based on pharmaceutical RCT's that tended to underestimate the actual quality of these studies, since many of the traditional criteria for quality assessment may not apply to the study of meditative therapies (p. 3) . . . . the overall quality of meditation studies have increased continuously in the past 10 years. Our analysis of study quality over time indicates that studies published prior to 2000 had a relatively lower quality score (CLEAR = .66), studies published in 2000-2005 had a slightly higher score (CLEAR = .69), whereas studies published after 2006 has a mean quality score of .75 (p. 13) | journal = Depression and Anxiety | volume = 29 | issue = 7 | pages = 3 | doi = 10.1002/da.21964 }}</ref> A 2012 meta-analysis says that "the claim of therapeutic benefits of meditation is backed up by growing empirical evidence."<ref name="Sedlmeier 2012"/>

A 2007 meta-analysis by researchers at Maharishi University of Management and the University of Kentucky found differing results from the 2007 NIH-AHRQ report mentioned above because the authors removed overlapping studies, corrected data collection errors, and included studies outside the scope of that report.<ref name=Rainforth>{{Cite journal|first1=Maxwell |last1=Rainforth| first2=Schneider |last2=RH|last3=Nidich|first3=SI|last4=Gaylord-King |first4=C|last5=Salerno |first5=JW|last6=Anderson |first6=JW|title=Stress Reduction Programs in Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis|journal=Current Hypertension Reports |year=2007|month=December|volume=9|pmid=18350109 |pmc=2268875|issue=6 |doi=10.1007/s11906-007-0094-3 |pages=520–528}}</ref><ref name="Spruill 2010 14"/> They said that the use of ], which is required by the Jadad scale, is not appropriate to meditation research and that the review failed to assess more relevant determinants of research quality.<ref name=Rainforth/><ref name="Orme-Johnson DW 2008 1215–21" /> Research reviews in science journals say that double blinding may not be possible in meditation research.<ref>Ospina, Maria, et al, "Clinical Trials of Meditation Practices in Health Care: Characteristics and Quality," The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Volume 14, Number 10, 2008, p. 1210</ref><ref>Anderson, James, et al, "Blood Pressure Response to Transcendental Meditation: A Meta-analysis," American Journal of Hypertension, March 2008, Volume 21 Number 3, p. 311</ref><ref>Linden W, Moseley, ?The efficacy of behavioral treatments for hypertension, Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback 2006, 31, pp. 51–63.</ref> Canter and Ernst say that blinding of participants isn't feasible,<ref name="Wien Klin Wochenschr." /><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |year=2004 |month=November |pmid=15480084 |url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2050 |ref=harv |doi=10.1097/00004872-200411000-00002}}</ref> and a Cochrane review says that it's only possible to blind the raters or assessors in meditation trials.<ref name="Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N 2010 CD006507" />

David Orme-Johnson, former director of research at Maharishi University of Management, raised concerns of reporting bias in the 2007 government-funded review, noting that 98 "potentially relevant" research papers that were suggested for inclusion by the study's peer reviewers in the meta-analysis portion of the 2007 government report were disregarded by the authors. He also said that the study inappropriately excluded three categories of studies on meditation that have been included in previous reviews: meditation and substance abuse, adolescent health, and mortality.<ref name="Orme-Johnson DW 2008 1215–21">{{Cite journal|author=Orme-Johnson DW |title=Commentary on the AHRQ report on research on meditation practices in health |journal=Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine |volume=14 |issue=10 |pages=1217 |year=2008 |month=December |pmid=19123876 |doi=10.1089/acm.2008.0464 |ref=harv}}</ref>

Some researchers have noted the methodological soundness of studies on Transcendental Meditation. A 2003 review by Shapiro characterized a group of 15 studies as being well-designed.<ref name=Shapiro-Humanistic>{{Cite journal|first1=Shauna L. |last1=Shapiro |first2=Roger|last2=Walsh |title=An Analysis of Recent Meditation Research and Suggestions for Future Directions|journal=The Humanistic Psychologist|year=2003|volume=31(2–3)|pages=90–99}}</ref> Selected studies have been characterized as being high quality,<ref>Ospina p. 56, 108</ref> rigorous,<ref>{{Cite book |author=Erin Olivo | editor = Richard A Stein, Mehmet C. Oz
| title = Complementary and Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine: Clinical Handbook |year=2004| publisher=Humana Press |location=New Jersey | pages = 121 | chapter = Meditation and CVD}}</ref> sound,<ref>{{Cite journal |first=ROBERT W. |last=ROESER |authorlink= |coauthors = PECK, STEPHEN C | title = 'An Education in Awareness: Self, Motivation, and Self- Regulated Learning in Contemplative Perspective | quote =. . . the authors concluded that there were few peer-reviewed papers,
scant details about programs, failure to employ rigorous research
methodologies (e.g., blindness to condition, control
groups, use of non-self-report methodologies), and general
lack of agreement on the active ingredients of programs and
ways to measure their effectiveness. They singled out research
under the rubric of "social emotional learning" as an
exception to these critiques (e.g., Greenberg et al., 2003),
and we concur. We also note that the studies of TM reviewed
herein appeared to be sound. |journal=Educational Psychologist |volume=44 |issue= |pages=132 |doi=10.1080/00461520902832376 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00461520902832376}}</ref> carefully blinded, and meeting most of the criteria for well-designed studies on alternative medicine.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Richard L. Nahin et al. |editor=John Vogel, Mitchell Krucoff |title=Integrative Cardiology: Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the Heart |year=2007 |month= |publisher=McGraw-Hill |location=U.S.A. |language = |isbn= 0071443371 |pages = 81 |chapter = 5: Approaches to Clinical Trials of Alternative and Complementary Medicine |url=http://books.google.ca/books?id=vSrGpa9ntkEC&q=0071443371&dq=0071443371&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MpJmUqmyMMfA2AXwyoCYDA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 22, 2013}}</ref> Commenting on the quality of the research on TM, Sidney Weinstein, editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Neuroscience (IJN) said: "Over the past 10 years, the editors and reviewers of the ''International Journal of Neuroscience'' have accepted several papers on Transcendental Meditation because they have met the rigorous standards of scientific publication. IJN . . . has a distinguished group of scientists from leading universities on every continent who judge the scientific value of the papers submitted for consideration. Not once have these scientists ever questioned the integrity or scientific validity of the papers on Transcendental Meditation".<ref>{{Cite journal| first = David| last = Orme-Johnson et al.| authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2005| title = Issue: Did a National Research Council (NRC) report discredit research on the Transcendental Meditation program?| quote = Over the past 10 years, the editors and reviewers of the International Journal of Neuroscience have accepted several papers on Transcendental Meditation because they have met the rigorous standards of scientific publication. IJN is honored to have two Nobel laureates on its editorial board, and has a distinguished group of scientists from leading universities on every continent who judge the scientific value of the papers submitted for consideration. Not once have these scientists ever questioned the integrity or scientific validity of the papers on Transcendental Meditation. The fact that the articles on Transcendental Meditation continue to appear in large numbers in reputable journals in addition to IJN demonstrates . . . that this is an area of scientific research that's here to stay.| journal = Social Behavior and Personality| volume = 17| issue = 1| pages = 383–414
}}</ref>

A 2009 review said that despite criticisms of the TM organization, "TM's medical claims have been taken seriously," noting over $20 million in NIH funding for research on TM and cardiovascular disease.<ref name=Dakwar09>{{Cite journal|author=Dakwar E, Levin FR |title=The emerging role of meditation in addressing psychiatric illness, with a focus on substance use disorders |journal=Harv Rev Psychiatry |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=254–67 |year=2009 |pmid=19637074 |doi=10.1080/10673220903149135 |url= |ref=harv |pmc=3109319}}</ref>

==Recent research==
In 2011, the editors of ''Archives of Internal Medicine'' decided to withhold publication of a paper on a nine-year study of TM and mortality shortly before it was to be published online. The decision was made to allow the review of new data that was obtained after the submission of the original manuscript.
The paper was subsequently published in the Nov. 2012 issue of the American Heart Association journal, ''Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes''.<ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://circoutcomes.ahajournals.org/content/early/2012/11/13/CIRCOUTCOMES.112.967406.abstract?sid=059a8d78-1520-4565-8a5c-193107dca204
| title = Stress Reduction in the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease--Randomized, Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation and Health Education in Blacks

| accessdate = November 14, 2012
| author =
| last = Schneider
| first = Robert
| authorlink = RSchneider@mum.edu
| coauthors = Clarence E. Grim, Maxwell V. Rainforth, Theodore Kotchen, Sanford I. Nidich, Carolyn Gaylord-King, John W. Salerno, Jane Morley Kotchen, Charles N. Alexander
| date = November 13, 2012
| year =
| month =
| work =
| publisher = American Heart Association, Inc
| pages =
| format =
| language =
| quote =
| archiveurl =
| archivedate =
}}</ref>
During the intervening time, the data was re-analyzed, and the study underwent an independent review, said a report in WebMD.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20121108/transcendental-meditation-may-lower-heart-risk?page=2| title = Transcendental Meditation May Lower Heart Risk | accessdate = November 14, 2012 | author = Matt McMillen
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Louise Chang, MD (reviewer)
| date = Nov. 13, 2012
| year =
| month =
| work =
| publisher = WebMD, LLC
| pages =
| format =
| language =
| quote =
| archiveurl =
| archivedate =
}}</ref>

==Research funding and promotion==
In 1991, The ] (JAMA) published an article on Maharishi Ayurveda of which the Transcendental Meditation technique is a part.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Sharma HM, Triguna BD, Chopra D |title=Maharishi Ayur-Veda: modern insights into ancient medicine |journal=JAMA |volume=265 |issue=20 |pages=2633–4, 2637 |year=1991 |pmid=1817464 |doi= 10.1001/jama.265.20.2633|url=}}</ref> Later, allegations were made saying that the authors ], ], and ] had failed to disclose that they were "involved in organizations that promote and sell the products and services about which they wrote."<ref name="JAMA91">{{cite journal |author=Skolnick AA |title=Maharishi Ayur-Veda: Guru's marketing scheme promises the world eternal 'perfect health' |journal=JAMA |volume=266 |issue=13 |pages=1741–2, 1744–5, 1749–50 |year=1991 |month=October |pmid=1817475 |doi= 10.1001/jama.266.13.1741|url=}}</ref>

In 1999, the ] awarded a grant of nearly $8 million to Maharishi University of Management to establish the first research center specializing in natural preventive medicine for minorities in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vedic Medicine, Meditation Receive Federal Funds|publisher=U.S. Medicine|first=Matt|last=Pueschel|date=July 2000|accessdate=February 8, 2010|url=http://www.usmedicine.com/article.cfm?articleID=47&issueID=12|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070928030213/http://www.usmedicine.com/article.cfm?articleID=47&issueID=12|archivedate=2007-09-28}}</ref> According to the MUM website, the research institute, called the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention (INMP), was inaugurated on October 11, 1999, at the University's Department of Physiology and Health in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5rcNs3y5o|title=NIH Awards $8 Million Grant to Establish Research Center on Natural Medicine|publisher=MUM.edu|accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref> By 2013, the National Institutes of Health had awarded more than $25 million to Maharishi University of Management to fund research.<ref name="Winter"/>

In 2009, the ] awarded an additional grant of $1 million distributed over two years for research on the use of TM in the treatment of coronary heart disease in African-Americans. The award was for research in collaboration with the INMP and ] in New York City. The award was from the ] via the ].<ref name=heartland>{{cite web|url=http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=355188 |title=MUM gets $1 million research grant : News : KTVO3 |publisher=Heartlandconnection.com |date=2009-09-25 |accessdate=November 15, 2009}}</ref>

According to a 1980 article by sociologist Hank Johnston, the movement's two main universities, ] (now Maharishi University of Management) and ], have been significant sources of the studies used in promotional materials.<ref name="Johnston">{{cite journal|title=The Marketed Social Movement: A Case Study of the Rapid Growth of TM|first=Hank |last=Johnston|journal=The Pacific Sociological Review|volume=23|issue=3|date= July 1980|pages=333–354 |publisher=University of California Press|jstor=1388826}}</ref> Leading individuals and organizations associated with TM cite the existence of many studies, "more than 600 published research studies, conducted at over 200 independent research institutions in 33 countries",<ref>{{Cite news|title='Maharishi Invincible Towers to be set up in 192 countries'|work=The Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi|date=February 10, 2008}}</ref> to support TM-related concepts.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Town sees meditation as way to peace|first=Julie|last=Deardorff|work=The Charleston Gazette|location=Charleston, W.V.|date=December 12, 2001|page=2.D}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Wasting away in Maharishi-ville|first=Brian|last=Hutchinson|work=National Post|location=Don Mills, Ont.|date=February 22, 2003|page=B.1}}</ref> The quantity of studies has been cited to support the political programs of the ],<ref>{{Cite news|title=Is government ready for a dose of TM?|first=George|last=Plagenz|work=The Nevada Daily Mail|date=September 4, 1996|page=3|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z_swAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2N8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5223,3578592}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=PARTY HOPES TM PUTS MEMBERS IN POSITION TO LEAD|first=Darrel|last=Rowland|work=Columbus Dispatch|location=Columbus, Ohio|date=July 21, 1996|page=01.C}}</ref> the tax status of a TM property,<ref>STATE OF MINNESOTA IN SUPREME COURT C4-96-1425 World Plan Executive Council-United States, et al., v. County of Ramsey, Filed March 20, 1997</ref> the use of TM to rehabilitate prisoners,<ref>Walpole Study of the Transcendental Meditation Program in Maximum Security Prisoners: Cross-Sectional Differences in Development and Psychopathology. Charles N. Alexander; Kenneth G. Walton; Rachel S. Goodman in Transcendental Meditation in Criminal Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention. Charles Nathaniel Alexander, Kenneth G Walton, David Orme-Johnson Routledge, 2003 ISBN 978-0-7890-2037-6 p. 159</ref> the teaching of TM in schools,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Meditation Controversy|work=The Journal News|date=May 18, 2004|first=Joy|last=Victory}}</ref> the issuance of bonds to finance the movement,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maharishiglobalfinancing.org/PDF/Prospectus%20Nov14%202006.pdf|title=Propectus for the issue and offering of three million RAAM|date=November 14, 2006|publisher=Stichting Maharishi Global Financing Research|accessdate=June 2, 2010}}</ref> as proof that TM is a science rather than a religion,<ref>{{Cite news|title=VEDA LAND The New Incarnation of the Maharishi REJECTION BY THE VOTERS ONLY SERVES TO MAKE THE NATURAL LAW PARTY'S APPEALS MORE URGENT, ITS PLANS MORE GRANDIOSE, ITS CLAIMS MORE STRIDENT|first=JACK|last=KAPICA|work=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto, Ont.|date=November 27, 1993|page=D.3}}</ref> to show the efficacy of the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health,<ref name="Schneider RH, Walton KG, Salerno JW, Nidich SI 2006 S4–15–26" /> and as a reason to practice TM itself.<ref>{{cite web|title=Q&A with John Hagelin, 8 Great Reasons to Meditate|publisher=Center for Leadership Performance|year=2009|accessdate=June 2, 2010|url=http://www.maharishiacademy.org/pdf/brochure_tm.pdf}}</ref>

Philip Goldberg, in his 2010 book, ''American Veda'', said some of the experts he spoke with accused TM advocates of using research findings to proselytize. David Orme-Johnson, who directed the TM research program for many years, responded that "enthusiasm for your data does not make your data wrong."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Goldberg|first=Philip|year=2010|title=American Veda—How Indian Spirituality Changed the West|page= 379 n9|publisher=Crown/Random House|location= New York|isbn=978-0-385-52134-5|quote=Most of the experts I spoke to said that the bulk of the TM studies in peer-reviewed journals—now numbering more than 600—rise to professional standards. Some expressed concern about the way TM proponents have interpreted the findings, accusing them of proselytizing. Psychologist David Orme-Johnson, who headed up the TM research program for many years and is now a semiretired spokesman, responds that "enthusiasm for your data does not make your data wrong."}}</ref>

==See also==
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book| first=Michael| last=Persinger | year=1980 | title=] | chapter= | editor= | others=Language: English | pages=198 pages | publisher=Christopher Pub House| isbn=0-8158-0392-3 | url= | authorlink= | ref=harv | postscript=<!--None--> }}
* {{Cite book| first=Mikael| last=Rothstein | author-link=Mikael Rothstein |year=1996 | title=Belief Transformations: Some Aspects of the Relation Between Science and Religion in Transcendental Meditation (Tm) and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness | chapter= | editor= | others=Language: English | pages=227 pages | publisher=Aarhus universitetsforlag| isbn=87-7288-421-5 | url= | authorlink= | ref=harv | postscript=<!--None--> }}

{{Transcendental Meditation}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transcendental Meditation Technique}}
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