Renin, Cortisol, and Aldosterone During Transcendental Meditation

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Abstract
The effects of transcendental meditation (TM) on plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma concentrations of aldosterone, cortisol, and lactate were studied by measuring these variables before, during and after 20-30 min of meditation. Subjects who rested quietly rather than meditating, served as controls. There were no differences in the basal values for these variables between meditators and controls, but controls showed a significant increase in cortisol between the 1st and 2nd samples of the control period. PRA increased slightly (14%) but significantly during TM, but not during quiet rest in controls. Cortisol decreased progressively (after 2nd sample) throughout the experiment to the same degree in both groups. Aldosterone and lactate did not change. The hypothesis that TM induces a unique state characterized by decreased sympathetic activity or release from stress was not supported. Meditators may be less responsive to an acute stress.