Meditation may boost immune system Previous studies have shown that meditation helps reduce anxiety and stress. However, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the first to suggest that it may also have positive biological effects on the body's ability to fight infection and disease. Led by Dr Richard Davidson, Vilas Professor of psychology and psychiatry at the university, the researchers conducted a 16-week study on 41 participants to investigate the physiological effects of "mindfulness meditation". This form of meditation involves intensely focusing the attention on thoughts and feelings as they occur, noting their existence but refraining from judging or acting on them. It is intended to deepen awareness of the present, develop attention-focusing skills and cultivate positive emotions. The participants in the study were divided into two groups. The first group of 25 received mindfulness meditation training consisting of a weekly class, an hour of home practice for six days a week and a one 7-hour retreat during the course of the study. The control group, which contained 16 people, did not receive meditation training until after the study was completed. Over the study period the researchers measured levels of electrical activity in the frontal area of the brain - increased activity in the left side of which is associated with optimistic and positive emotions. The participants also received a flu shot over the course of the study then blood tests were examined to measure levels of antibodies produced in response to the vaccine. The researchers found that the meditation group exhibited increased activity in the left side of the frontal part of the brain, indicating lower anxiety levels and a more positive emotional state. In addition, although both groups had increased antibody levels in response to the vaccine, the meditation group had significantly larger increases at four and eight weeks, after receiving the shots, than the control group. "Although our study is preliminary and more research clearly is warranted," said Dr Davidson, "we are very encouraged by these results." The research team is now planning to study the effects of meditation on patients with particular illnesses. The research will appear in a forthcoming edition of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. 2/03 Thanks to healthy.net Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.