More than 1500 veterans and active duty personnel with PTSD and TBI have learned the Transcendental Meditation® (TM) technique. Research studies, involving more than 300 veterans and active service personnel, have shown positive results from TM® practice. These findings are corroborated by the extensive body of research on TM over the last 45 years showing its effectiveness at reducing stress and stress-related conditions. There is also a large body of testimonials supporting the effectiveness of TM for reducing PTSD symptoms.
Percentages with Clinically Meaningful Improvement
in PTSD
This DoD-funded randomized trial of 203 veterans with PTSD is the first to directly compare TM to Prolonged Exposure Therapy, considered the gold-standard therapy for treating PTSD, and a Health Education control. This chart shows the percentage of veterans in each group who achieved clinically meaningful improvement in PTSD, which is defined as a reduction of 10 points or more on the Clinically Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). More >
Reduced Symptoms of PTSD in War Veterans
Through Transcendental Meditation
The research on TM shows that TM has a strong effect on reducing PTSD symptoms. These effect sizes are similar to or greater than effects produced by standard frontline therapies currently used to treat PTSD, which range from .78-1.10 (JAMA. 2015;314(5):489-500). More >
Decreased PTSD Symptoms
in Congolese War Refugees
In this randomized study, 90% of Congolese war refugees with PTS symptoms improved below the “non-symptomatic” level in 30 days and remained non-symptomatic over a period of four months. Controls showed no improvement in PTSD symptoms in the same period. More >
Rapid Reduction in PTSD Symptoms
in Congolese War Refugees
This second study on Congolese war refugees introduced TM to the control group from the first study. In the first 10 days, there was a sharp drop in PTSD symptoms. Within 30 days, the group average dropped toward the non-symptomatic level. More >
Reduction of Stress-Related Conditions
in Vietnam Veterans: TM vs. Psychotherapy
Because TM works by reducing stress, it simultaneously reduces stress-related conditions. More >
Reduction in Psychotropic Drug Medication in Veterans
The stress reduction and physiological healing produced by TM lead to reduced use of psychotropic medication. This research was performed in the TBI Clinic at Fort Gordon, Georgia. More >
“For me TM acted like an ice pack placed directly on the heated up and hyper-vigilant part of my brain that couldn’t calm down, that couldn’t think straight, that couldn’t hold a rational or coherent thought…Where everything else had failed, where other attempts and interventions had fallen short, where I had previously been baffled, TM literally cracked open my heart…The experience of TM almost defies description. It represents an experience I will never get over. I am compelled to pay it forward. To not share this experience with fellow Warriors is tantamount to larceny.” —Iraq and Afghan War Veteran
