Behavior: Mind over Drugs

For years, increasing numbers of people have found physical calm and mental tranquillity in the practice of various forms of meditation. Now Harvard researchers have confirmed—and gone beyond—earlier studies showing that actual physiological changes sometimes occur during meditation. They concentrated on "transcendental meditation," the yoga-derived techniques taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who won fame by briefly attracting the Beatles. But the implications are not confined to the Maharishi's technique, which is only one of many similar disciplines. Meditation, the researchers suggest, may even be of value in alleviating such difficult problems as alcoholism and drug addiction.

Harvard's Dr. Herbert Benson and R....

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