Transcendental Meditation Benefits - Better Brain Function

The TM technique for a clearer mind

When we are less stressed, our mind is able to function better. The deep rest of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique eliminates stress, resulting in greater clarity in our thinking. More creativity is available to us in daily life. With regular practice, the TM technique unfolds more of our mental potential, enabling us to become more efficient in all our endeavors.

"How do you develop more of the potential of the mind? In TM we experience the very core of our consciousness."

Mario Orsatti, certified TM instructor

Scientific evidence for how the TM technique expands mental potential

Scientific research conducted on the effect of TM practice on different kinds of populations—students, workers, at-risk populations—has found that the TM technique naturally unfolds our mental capabilities. This enables us to enjoy our activity and be more productive. Here are some examples of cognitive improvements due to regular TM practice:

greater focus and productivity
improved memory
higher energy levels
more consistent access to creativity

"In TM, the mind is not passive. It is ready for very full, forward activity."

Fred Travis, Ph.D., psychologist and professor

Integrated brainwave functioning during and after practicing the TM technique

EEG tests show that alpha-one brainwaves, which appear during TM practice, differ from the theta brainwaves associated with mindfulness meditation. Alpha-one brainwaves support integrated brain functioning, leading to improved cognitive abilities and a state of calm alertness that extends beyond the meditation session. Further, research shows that transcendence in TM practice is associated with a state of brainwave coherence across different parts of the brain, which also contributes to more integrated brain function.

TM practice leads to holistic improvements in intellectual performance

This study shows significant improvement in all standard measures of intelligence, revealing new possibilities for the development of life. Standard education has not been shown to develop intelligence after adolescence; but when Transcendental Meditation practice is added to the secondary or college curriculum, intelligence has been shown to increase significantly.

TM practice reduces stress and increases self-esteem

This study involves teaching the TM technique to women aged 13–26 living in poverty conditions in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. These young women are representative of the millions of women and girls living in poverty globally, who face great challenges on a daily basis. After five months, significant improvements in self-esteem, self-efficacy, gratitude, and a decrease in tiredness and excessive alcohol use were found. At eight months, 89% of the meditating participants reported improvement in their health, 98% reported decreased stress and anxiety, 98% reported improvement in relationships with family members, and 88% reported improvement in relationships with friends and neighbors.

What people say about TM

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"I find that I can't do without it."

Martin Scorsese and Ray Dalio

Investor and filmmaker

"TM is my center. It's the way I can get back to what actually matters."

Ethan

Startup founder

"There's more of an ability to work smarter."

Noah Schechtman

Certified TM instructor

"It's been a creative explosion."

Jase

Artist

"I started Transcendental Meditation in 1973 and have not missed a single meditation ever since. Twice a day, every day. It has given me effortless access to unlimited reserves of energy, creativity, and happiness deep within."

David Lynch, filmmaker, artist

Research on the effect of TM practice on brain development

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TM & college students: Increased inter-hemispheric brainwave coherence; alpha1 activation overlapped the default mode network, vs. resting control.

Travis, F., Haaga, D.A.F., Hagelin, J. et al.

A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation practice. Cogn Process 2010 11, 21–30

TM and middle school students: Improved English and math scores; more TM students improved on one or more performance levels, compared to controls.

Nidich, S., Mjasiri, S., Nidich, R., Rainforth, M., Grant, J., Valosek, L., Chang, W., Zigler, RL.

Academic achievement and Transcendental Meditation: a study with at-risk urban middle school students. Education 2011 131(3):556-564.

TM & women living in poverty in Uganda: Significantly improved in self-efﬁcacy, perceived stress, and mental and physical well-being vs. control.

Goldstein, L., Smith, A. M., Romagnoli, D., & Katergi, E.

The effect of Transcendental Meditation on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude, for increasing empowerment of female youth in Uganda. Health Care for Women International, 1–34.

TM practice and elderly adults: Significantly improved fluid reasoning, verbal intelligence, long-term memory & speed of processing, vs. controls.

Nidich, S.I., Schneider, R.H., Nidich, R.J., Foster, G., Sharma, H., Salerno, J., Goodman, R., Alexander, C,N.

Effect of the Transcendental Meditation program on intellectual development in community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 2005 17(1):217-226

TM practice & government employees: Signiﬁcant decreases in anxiety, anger, depression, fatigue, confusion, and increase in the POMS vigor subscale.

Travis, F., Valosek, L., Konrad IV, A., Link, L., Salerno, J., Scheller, R., Nidich, S.

Eﬀect of meditation on psychological distress and brain functioning: A randomized controlled study. Brain and Cognition 125 2018 100-105.

TM & high school students in Taiwan: Significantly improved on 7 cognitive ability variables tested, superior to contemplation meditation and napping.

So, K.T., Orme-Johnson, D.W.

Three randomized experiments on the holistic longitudinal effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on cognition. Intelligence 2001 29(5):419-440

TM practice & students diagnosed with ADHD aged 11-14: Significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and improved ADHD symptoms and executive function.

Grosswald, S.J., Stixrud, W.R., Travis, F., Bateh, M.A.

Use of the Transcendental Meditation technique to reduce symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by reducing stress and anxiety: an exploratory study. Current Issues in Education [On-line] 2008 10(2)

TM & college students: Significant increases in Brain Integration Scale scores, lower sleepiness, and faster habituation rates, compared with controls.

Travis, F., Haaga, D.A., Hagelin, J., Tanner, M., Nidich, S., Gaylord-King, C., Grosswald, S., Rainforth, M., Schneider, R.H.

Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning and stress reactivity in college students. International Journal of Psychophysiology 2009 71(2):170-176

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How to learn the TM technique

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