From: rosen@ecf.toronto.edu (ROSEN Dan)
Subject: Re: TM Meditation, Ayur-Veda, etc. WAS ( Re: homeopathy )
Followup-To: misc.health.alternative sci.skeptic 
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 18:58:16 GMT

In article <BSIMON.93Jan11071238@elvis.stsci.edu> bsimon@stsci.edu (Bernie Simon) writes:
>In article <C0JxEt.A8n@ecf.toronto.edu> rosen@ecf.toronto.edu (ROSEN
>Dan) writes:
>
>   You are indeed. For example, the AMA just published some studies in which 
>   they show that some (most of the) claims of Trascendental meditation 
>   (reduced metabolism, heart rate, etc.) are quite bogus. People in 
>   controlled groups listeningto music achieved the same results. 
>   I'm quoting from memory, so I may not be very accurate. I think this was 
>   in the spring 1992 issue (+-1) of the SkepticalInquire. Just as a side 
>   issue, the AMA also had something to say (and clearlynot good) about the 
>   Ajur Veda products that the maharishi is profitablymarketing.just some 
>   thoughts.
>
>I remember reading the same thing in the Skeptical Inquirer. As I
>recall it wasn't the AMA that published the study on meditation, but
>two independent researchers. This is from memory, and my memory may be
>as fallible as yours. While I admit the Skeptical Inquirer is
>interesting reading, I do not think it is a good source for objective
>studies of the value of meditation. I can say more on the subject if
>someone provides a citation in a journal that I can get access to.
>--

As I stated earlier my memory is very fallible (to say the least!) and therefore
I mixed apples with oranges.  The collumn that appeard in the JAMA (journal of
the american medical association), by its associate editor Andrew Skolnick, was
on the deceptions involving trascendental meditationn's maharishi ayur-veda
health care products and services ( the exact cronology of publications, letters
etc. are in the spring and summer 1992 issues of the Skeptical Inquirer).
Among the findings iof the investigation are that that ayur-veda actually
referred not to an ancient healing system of India but to a trademarked line
of products and services introduced in 1985 and that the three impresively 
credentialed authors (of the original paper supporting ayur-veda) had a 
strong interest in the marketing and promotion of the TM stuff. As a result of
the investigation, TM health care bussiness is now being examined by the Natio-
nal Institute of Health, the FDA and a congressional subcommittee.

This concerning ayur-veda.

With respect to meditation, the article I was reffering to (and I was way off)
is from the spring 1992 issue of the SI and concerns a study over a two year
reriod by the Committee on techniques for the Enhancement of Human Performance,
National Reasearch Council (I gather this mimight by an objective source source
for studies, Bernie, even if if I'm quoting from the SI) which is published in
the committee's second report (In the Iminds Eye:Enhancing Human Performance, 
NRC, National Academic Press, Washington D.C. 1991).  I quote:

"...We find NO SUPPORT FOR ANY SPECIAL PROPERTIES OF MEDITATION AS A TECHNIQUE
TO REDUCE STRESS OR ENHANCE PERFORMANCE. Ordinary rest and relaxation are as effective....".

The study comparing meditation with music listening Iread it from somewhere
else (I think it is in James Randi's "Flim-Flam"; but remember, my memory
is not very trustworthy. I don't have the book at hand, but if you wish I'll
try to get the information... yes, yes, I know you'll say that Randi is not
an objective source of studies for you, either. Is anything that critically
studies any fringe claims not a good source of studies for you? . Sorry
fore the flame, if you feel it is so. Not intended).
Notice I changed the headline (as this is not Homeopathy anymore) and that I
cross-posted to sci.skeptic. The folks there, I'm sure will have a a thing
or two to say. 


>Bernie Simon (bsimon@stsci.edu) -- Looking for a 90's answer to a 60's question
>		
>

- Dan.

Newsgroups: sci.skeptic