title: Cardiovascular and nervous system changes during meditation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of benefits have been described for the long-term practice of meditation, yet little is known regarding the immediate neurological and cardiovascular responses to meditation. Wireless sensor technology allows, for the first time, multi-parameter and quantitative monitoring of an individual's responses during meditation. The present study examined inter-individual variations to meditation through continuous monitoring of EEG, blood pressure, heart rate and its variability (HRV) in novice and experienced meditators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 20 experienced and 20 novice meditators involved in a week-long wellness retreat. Monitoring took place during meditation sessions on the first and last full days of the retreat. All participants wore a patch that continuously streamed ECG data, while half of them also wore a wireless EEG headset plus a non-invasive continuous blood pressure monitor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meditation produced variable but characteristic EEG changes, significantly different from baseline, even among novice meditators on the first day. In addition, although participants were predominately normotensive, the mean arterial blood pressure fell a small (2-3 mmHg) but significant (p < 0.0001) amount during meditation. The effect of meditation on HRV was less clear and influenced by calculation technique and respiration. No clear relationship between EEG changes, HRV alterations, or mean blood pressure during meditation was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to investigate neurological and cardiovascular responses during meditation in both novice and experienced meditators using novel, wearable, wireless devices. Meditation produced varied inter-individual physiologic responses. These results support the need for further investigation of the short- and long-term cardiovascular effects of mental calm and individualized ways to achieve it.
authors: Scripps Translational Science Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors: Steven R
authors: SR
authors: Steinhubl
authors: Scripps Translational Science Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors: Nathan E
authors: NE
authors: Wineinger
authors: The Chopra Center for Wellbeing Carlsbad, CA, USA.
authors: Sheila
authors: S
authors: Patel
authors: Scripps Translational Science Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors: Debra L
authors: DL
authors: Boeldt
authors: Emotiv Research Pty Ltd. Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Mackellar
authors: The Chopra Center for Wellbeing Carlsbad, CA, USA.
authors: Valencia
authors: V
authors: Porter
authors: Emotiv, Inc. San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors: Jacob T
authors: JT
authors: Redmond
authors: Scripps Translational Science Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors: Evan D
authors: ED
authors: Muse
authors: Scripps Translational Science Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Nicholson
authors: The Chopra Center for Wellbeing Carlsbad, CA, USA.
authors: Deepak
authors: D
authors: Chopra
authors: Scripps Translational Science Institute La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Topol
keywords: blood pressure; heart rate variability; meditation; personalized medicine; wireless sensor technology