Microarray comparison of transcriptomic differences between long-term practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique and group-matched non-practitioner controls

Research on the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique suggests it is a powerful intervention for reducing the unwanted effects of stress. Investigations of the TM program as a therapeutic intervention include cardiovascular disease (CVD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders. Healthcare utilization studies show reductions in diseases after regular practice of the program. This study compared long-term practitioners of TM (38 ± 4 years) with non-practitioner controls. We used DNA microarray global transcriptomics technologies in Peripheral Mononuclear Blood Cells (PMBCs) to compare a non-practitioner control group (Group III) and a TM-practitioner group (Group IV). Demographically-matched groups of 6 each were studied. These results are expected to be relevant to stress and stress-related diseases such as CVD, diabetes, and PTSD.