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DECREASED ALCOHOL INTAKE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION: A RETROSPECTIVE INVESTIGATION *
Author(s) -
Benson Herbert
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1974.tb40298.x
Subject(s) - medical school , citation , annals , general hospital , library science , meditation , gerontology , medicine , psychology , family medicine , classics , medical education , history , computer science , archaeology
A wakeful, hypometabolic state accompanies the practice of a relaxational, meditation technique called Transcendental Meditation.' This state is characterized by decreased oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide elimination, respiratory rate and minute ventilation, with no change in respiratory quotient. Arterial blood pH and base excess decrease slightly while arterial blood lactate markedly decreases. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures remain unchanged. The electroencephalogram shows an increase in intensity of slow alpha waves and occasional theta wave activity. These physiologic changes differ from those occurring during sleep and are hypothesized to represent activation of an integrated hypothalamic response, which is associated with decreased sympathetic nervous system activity.' A previously reported retrospective investigation noted decreased drug abuse and alcoholic intake associated with the practice of m e d i t a t i ~ n . ~ A portion of these same data are again reported.