Wallace et al., 1972
Wallace, R. K.; and Benson, H. The physiology of meditation. Scientific American 226(2): 84–90, 1972.
Physiological changes during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique indicate a state characterized by quiescence of the sympathetic nervous system.
- Year
- 1972
- Journal
- Scientific American
- Publication type
- Journal
- Paper type
- Empirical
- Collected Papers
- Vol. 1, pp. 86–91
- Section
- Metabolic Changes
Findings (8)
During the Practice—Respiratory/Metabolic
Decreased Metabolic Rate (Decreased Oxygen Consumption and Decreased Carbon Dioxide Elimination)
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
Normal Arterial Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Partial Pressures
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
Decreased Respiration Rate; Decreased Minute Ventilation
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
During the Practice—Cardiovascular
Decreased Heart Rate
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
During the Practice—Electrophysiological
Increased Basal Skin Resistance
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
During the Practice—Brain Activity
Increased Intensity of EEG Alpha Activity in Frontal and Central Regions
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
Episodes of Rhythmical EEG Theta Activity in Frontal Region
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
During the Practice—Biochemical
Decreased Arterial Lactate
Transcendental Meditation · State changes within subjects · During TM
Authors
- R. Keith Wallace, PhD
Boston City Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Herbert Benson, MD
Boston City Hospital, Boston, MA, USA