Earlier studies indicated a general physiologicaleffect of meditation including a decline in production of a body chemicalcalled cortisol. Cortisol helps protect the body's cells and tissues frominflammation and the effects of stress. But too much cortisol, which isproduced when the body is under stress, weakens the immune system and promotesdiabetes and hypertension. Other studies found an increase in blood flowin the muscles and skin after meditation. During meditation, oxygen consumption decreases,as does heart rate, and blood flow increases, researchers have found.
Some physicians prescribe it for their patientswith high blood pressure.
One is Phil Lichtenfield, who practices in Encino,Calif., and began meditating in medical school 20 years ago. Many of thosewho meditate have been able to reduce their medication, he said. He instituted meditation in his chemicalmanufacturing company in Detroit in 1983. Over three years, Montgomery said, absenteeismfell by 85 percent, productivity rose 120 percent, quality control rose240 percent, injuries declined 70 percent, sick days fell by 76 percentand profits soared 520 percent. Montgomery, who is now working with the TranscendentalMeditation Program, an Iowa-based group dedicated to promoting meditation,attributes the improvements solely to the meditation exercises.