The Insight Meditation Enhanced Stress, Depression, and Anxiety Reduction in Working Professionals Like Medical Representatives Determined by Using Serum Cortisol Level and Electroencephalogram: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Y. Bobade Shreyas , Paithankar V.V. , Vyas J.V. , Wankhade A.M. 
Published: May 2024

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Indian economy and ranks among the top 15 drug-manufacturing countries globally. Among the fastest-growing industries in the world, the pharmaceutical industry has increased over the years. A pharmaceutical company appoints a medical representative to make their products easily reach healthcare specialists and then be used by the general public. The medical representatives construct a well- built network with doctors, clinical specialists, medical practitioners, paramedical experts, Dietitians and nutritionists, paediatricians, gynaecologists, psychiatrists, etc. The problem of stress is widespread in every job description, and it may affect directly or indirectly in the form of health issues and low productivity; the demands of achieving targets induced among medical representatives. Much of this credit goes to Medical Sales Representatives or Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives (also known as MR, PSR) who are solely responsible for the promotion of products among Physicians, Hospitals, and pharmacies and are accountable for sales results. They act as the face of the Pharma company contributing to a better quality of life for customers, building goodwill, and increasing the company’s market share. Pharmaceutical sales representatives (PSR) play a large role in helping an industry in a rapidly changing environment to achieve a new corporate vision and normally these medical representatives are in the highest stress position. Most pharmaceutical sales representatives experience significant job stress and unhappiness levels. Stress, depression, and anxiety are the most common psychiatric disorders all over the world. One of India's oldest meditation methods, vipassana also known as Insight meditation, helps a person become aware of things as they are. The goal of the Vipassana method, which aids in self-change via self-observation, is to finally arrive at a condition of inner and exterior peace and mental equilibrium. It is a process of "Self- exploration" to the normal base of the brain and body that removes mental smog and results in a healthier personality filled with love and empathy. Electroencephalography (EEG) is an efficient modality that helps to acquire brain signals corresponding to various states from the scalp surface area. These signals are generally categorized as delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma based on signal frequencies ranging from 0.1 Hz to more than 100 Hz. This paper primarily focuses on EEG signals and their characterization for various states of the human body. Beta wave induced the production of cortisol. Also, the beta wave is necessary for our everyday lives, such as thought, communicating, arguing, and problem-solving, during conscious mental work. This Beta wave can also lead to tension, anxiety, and restlessness as they enable us to think properly. Persistently elevated cortisol concentrations are associated with metabolic disorders. Cortisol is a vital hormone sometimes known as the stress hormone in humans, as it is involved in the body's natural response to physical or emotional stress. cortisol has effects on memory, mood, and neurological diseases. Cortisol is best known for mediating the body’s reaction to stress. This study aims to review the existing research and challenges of serum cortisol levels (cortisol is an indicator of stress) and EEG signals with the Insight meditation effect.