Study: Efficacy of Meditation for Anxiety

Study: Efficacy of Meditation for Anxiety

A new study shows that meditation can be equally as effective
as medication in treating anxiety….

Mental health is a serious affair. In that regard, I am not a big fan of slogans like, “Heavily Meditated”. I understand that this is probably offered in a kind-hearted or even humorous manner. But here the point is that those needing medication in order to make it through the day, let alone find a sense of ease, are working really hard to get by – and have often sought out all kinds of other remedies and strategies before settling on, or giving in to the idea of, taking medicine. So to make light of the need for medication is no laughing matter.

That said, it is inspiring that a recent study published in JAMA, the standard in western medical literature, advances the tenet that some with mental health issues are equally helped by meditation as medication. Glandular secretions are a key facet of our mental health, and the practice of meditation most certainly does affect those secretions. So it should not be too much of a surprise that meditation could be an effective tool. Verily, the yogis have long equated meditation with a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness. However, for the medical establishment to assert that meditation can truly help those suffering from mental health issue is a great step forward. Those who need medication, for the near or long term, should certainly have that access. Along the way, as far as possible, they should be encouraged and guided in meditative techniques, perhaps reducing, or even eliminating, the need for said medication.

As an aside, this topic of stress and mental health was addressed in part in our recent course wherein we discussed the difference between brain diseases and psychic diseases.

Here then is a synopsis of the recent study how regular mediation may be as efficacious as common drugs for addressing anxiety.