Sharing the Science
Dr. Watkins is a highly respected scholar who advocates for peer-reviewed research on various subjects, including Meditation, Ayurvedic Health, Well-being Coaching, and Yoga. To stay up-to-date with the latest research on these topics, you can explore reputable websites such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest Central, and EBSCOhost. Additionally, several databases specialize in Ayurveda and mind-body health, such as the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Ayurveda Journal of Health (published in partnership with the National Ayurvedic Medical Association or NAMA), Journal of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, and International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine. Please be aware that certain websites may require a subscription for non-students. Take the opportunity to read a few of these sources to expand your knowledge in these fascinating areas.
Self-directed biological transformation
Publication date: June 2016
Conducted by: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego; Samueli Institute; The Chopra Center for Well-being; Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University; Mount Sinai Hospital; Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Published in: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Summary of findings: Participating in Chopra’s Perfect Health program, which includes Meditation in its Ayurvedic approach to well-being, has helped lessen depression and increase mindful awareness.
Nondual awareness and spiritual awakening
Publication date: April 2018
Conducted by: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego; The Chopra Foundation; Mind-Body Medical Group, The Chopra Center for Wellbeing; Department of Psychiatry and Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University; Sophia University, Transformative Technology Laboratory; Department of Neurology at Harvard University and Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Harvard Medical School
Published in: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Summary of findings: Participation in Chopra programs that included PSM resulted in a heightened sense of spirituality associated with a better ability to cope with stress.
Gene expression changes
Publication date: June 2017
Conducted by: Brain, Belief, and Behaviour Lab, Centre for Psychology, Behaviour, and Achievement, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University; Centre for Applied Biological and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University; Forensic Psychiatric Centre Pompestichting; Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute, Antwerp University
Published in: Frontiers in Immunology
Summary of findings: Overall, the studies indicate that well-being practices, including Meditation, are associated with the downregulation of the inflammatory NFkB pathway. This is the opposite of the gene expression in chronic stress and suggests that these mind-body interventions may lead to a reduced risk of inflammation-related diseases.
Transcendental Meditation for veterans
Publication date: July 2019
Conducted by: Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri–Kansas City; Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System; University of Maine Counseling Center; Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
Published in: Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
Summary of findings: Mantra meditation appears to be effective for treating PTSD and depression symptoms.
Functional neuroanatomy of Meditation
Publication date: June 2016
Conducted by: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia;
Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, University of British
Columbia; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University; Neuroanatomy and Connectivity Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences; Institut für Psychologie, Technische Universität Chemnitz
Published in: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Summary of findings: Meditation leads to increased density in areas of the brain associated with memory, cognition, self-awareness, compassion, and introspection—and reduced density in areas associated with anxiety and stress.
Resources
Ancient Wisdom: Can Ayurvedic Prakruti Provide Invaluable Insights into Integrative Medicine? Bell, C, et al. (2017) Ayurveda Journal of Health
An integration of Ayurveda with genomics holds promise for future personalized, predictive, and precision medicine
Big 5 Personality Traits. (2022). Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/big-5-personality-traits
Relationships Among Classifications of Ayurvedic Medicine Diagnostics for Imbalances (Vikruti) and Western measures of Psychological States: An Exploratory Study. Mills, P, et al. (2018) Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
Traumatic stress and the circadian system: neurobiology, timing, and treatment of posttraumatic chronodisruption. Agorastos and Olf (2020) National Library of Medicine