A New Era for Mind–Body Medicine
PERSPECTIVE A New Era for Mind–Body Medicine A New Era for Mind–Body Medicine A New Era for Mind–Body Medicine Michelle L. Dossett, M.D., Ph.D., Gregory L. Fricchione, M.D., and Herbert Benson, M.D. ifty years ago, meditation was Concurrent with this growing experience a greater sense of well- Fconsidered fringe, and the public interest is emerging re- being, and are less bothered by idea that it had any role in medi- search describing various neuro- the symptoms that brought them cal treatment, absurd. Neverthe- biologic, physiological, and ge- in. Some patients also note a less, one of us (H.B.) published nomic changes associated with greater sense of spiritual con- research demonstrating that med- mind–body practices, particularly nectedness. itation and similar practices (ini- meditation, including activation of Belief in these techniques is tially from India and later from specific brain regions, increased not necessary to realize benefit. other cultures) reduced oxygen heart-rate variability, and suppres- Indeed, randomized, controlled consumption, lowered blood pres- sion of stress-induced inflamma- trials have suggested improved sure and heart rate, and initiat- tory pathways, among others (see health outcomes and quality of ed a cascade of physiological ef- Supplementary Appendix for a list life in multiple physical and fects that were the opposite of of relevant studies). Though some mental health conditions that are what occurs during the stress re- of these changes appear to occur related to or exacerbated by sponse.1 This coordinated set of with multiple techniques, others stress, including chronic pain, physiological changes was termed may be technique-specific.
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