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| Science & Technology |
| A Transcendental Cure for Post-Traumatic Stress |
| 2011-07-14 |
| A pilot study of five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans published in the June 2011 issue of Military Medicine showed a 50% reduction in PTSD symptoms after just eight weeks of practicing TM. There is a scientific basis for the observed benefits of TM for combat-related PTSD. In several studies, TM has been shown to buffer fight-or-flight responses, which are thought to be overactive in people with PTSD, as evidenced by their hypervigilance, anxiety and exaggerated startle responses. In addition, TM has been found to reduce blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes—other conditions in which an overactive fight-or-flight response may play a role. In a similar manner, TM may modulate nervous system responses, thereby allowing affected veterans to relax and leave behind the traumas of war. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #9 I should mention that along with TM I also smoked some pot and dated some very hot women. |
| Posted by: bman 2011-07-14 20:33 |
| #8 The Israelis now regularly use marijuana for combat stress and say it works wonders. Call it the "bulb dimming" effect that in typical marijuana users makes them mentally lethargic and less prone to emotionalism and stress. In someone with PTSD, it takes the "edge" off the stress, so they can unwind and mentally slow down somewhat. Likewise, therapeutic amounts of the drug ecstasy also show promise. In that case, the psychological effect is to make the user feel safer, protected, and surrounded by people that are friendly. I mention this because many people just cannot penetrate eastern mental health disciplines, but the drugs seem to be more universal in application. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2011-07-14 16:21 |
| #7 I read one suggestion (about Vietnam veterans so it was some time ago) of having hot women assigned to reintegrate them back to society and thank them for their sacrifice in very personal ways. Who knows if that would work, but I suspect a number of single military folk would be willing to give it a chance. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2011-07-14 15:06 |
| #6 I did TM after Nam and it seemed to help. It does calm the mind. I also used christian sayings: "Jesus loves you" as mantras with the same results. The problem is developing the discipline and commitment. |
| Posted by: bman 2011-07-14 10:55 |
| #5 I read where a local serviceman with PTSD who was blown up by an IED had good results with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, the VA doesn't recognize this as viable therapy for PTSD. He said the therapy is useful but not long-lasting. The usual course is 40 treatments. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2011-07-14 10:15 |
| #4 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303936704576397521852411238.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Clearly, there is a need for new, creative approaches: Transcendental Meditation, better known as TM, is a promising candidate. An ancient Vedic technique developed in India, TM was brought to the West in the late 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It involves sitting comfortably with eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day while thinking a mantra. It does not require adherence to any religious belief system or ritual practices. Yet to date there are over 340 peer-reviewed papers describing the beneficial effects of TM on the mind and body. |
| Posted by: Speatch Thavirong9009 2011-07-14 10:09 |
| #3 Couldn't get the link to work. Didn't they use to call that prayer? (only being half-smart assed, any responder carriers at least a half brick around, combat soldiers I know get issued at least a couple) |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2011-07-14 09:34 |
| #2 Will only "Trancendental Meditation (TM)" work for this or will the generic brands of meditation you can get at Costco work too? |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2011-07-14 09:32 |
| #1 Sorry -- I cut off the sentence that defined TM as transcendental meditation. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2011-07-14 08:55 |