Could Transcendental Meditation Cure High Blood Pressure, Depression?

Mental health issues have become a serious concern on college campuses around the country. There are an estimated 18 million students dealing with mental health issues and reports have shown a 50% increase in diagnosis of depression on campus compared to a decade ago. The number of students on psychiatric medications has doubled in the same period. Controlling these issues is not only important for maintaining emotional wellbeing: Research has shown that psychological distress in youth can lead to hypertension later in life.

New research suggests that Transcendental Meditation, a practice developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, could help at-risk college students cope with depression and mental health problems, lower blood pressure, and, ultimately, fight hypertension.

What is Transcendental Meditation?

The official definition of Transcendental Meditation begins:

Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural program for the mind, a spontaneous, effortless march of the mind to its own unbounded essence.

In more literal terms, TM is reportedly the most widely practiced meditation technique in the world. It is characterized but the short—typically only 15-20 minutes—session length and use of sound mantras.

Popularity peaked in the early 1970s after a rash of celebrity practitioners, including the Beatles, Mia Farrow, and Kurt Vonnegut, talked publicly about their experiences with Transcendental Meditation. Since then, many scientific studies have been conducted that have shown both cause-effect relationships and positive correlations between the practice and a range of physical and physiological changes.

New Research

The latest study, a collaboration between American University and Maharishi University of Management, was conducted with "298 [American] University students randomly allocated to either the Transcendental Meditation technique or wait-list control over a three-month intervention period." Additionally, 159 students at-risk for mental health issues were analyzed separately.

One of the study's co-authors explained that:

This is the first randomized controlled study to show in young adults at risk for hypertension reductions in blood pressure that were associated with changes in psychological distress and coping.

The results are hopeful, but with basic courses costing $1500, the learning curve is not cheap. Though TM teachers say there is a distinction between their practice and other forms of meditation, the therapeutic use of all forms of meditation is not without debate.

Whether splurging on a Transcendental Meditation course is worthwhile for you depends on advice from your doctor, and your personal experience and preferences.

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