To investigate pain perception and the potential analgesic effects of mindful states in experienced Zen meditators. Methods: Highly trained Zen meditators (n = 13; >1000 hours of practice) and age/gender-matched control volunteers (n = 13) received individually adjusted thermal stimuli to elicit moderate pain on the calf.

Conditions included: a) baseline-1: no task; b) concentration: attend exclusively to the calf; c) mindfulness: attend to the calf and observe, moment to moment, in a nonjudgmental manner; and d) baseline-2: no task. Results: Meditators required significantly higher temperatures to elicit moderate pain (meditators: 49.9 degrees C; controls: 48.2 degrees C; p = .01). While attending "mindfully," meditators reported decreases in pain intensity whereas control subjects showed no change from baseline. The concentration condition resulted in increased pain intensity for controls but not for meditators. Changes in pain unpleasantness generally paralleled those found in pain intensity. In meditators, pain modulation correlated with slowing of the respiratory rate and with greater meditation experience. Covariance analyses indicated that mindfulness-related changes could be partially explained by changes in respiratory rates. Finally, the meditators reported higher tendencies to observe and be nonreactive of their own experience as measured on the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire; these factors correlated with individual differences in respiration. Conclusions: These results indicated that Zen meditators have lower pain sensitivity and experience analgesic effects during mindful states. Results may reflect cognitive/self-regulatory skills related to the concept of mindfulness and/or altered respiratory patterns. Prospective studies investigating the effects of meditative training and respiration on pain regulation are warranted.

Psychosom Med. 2008 Dec 10. Grant JA, Rainville P. Départements de physiologie (J.A.G.), Université de Montréal; Département de stomatologie (P.R.), Université de Montréal; Centre de recherche en science neurologiques (GRSNC) (J.A.G., P.R.), Centre de recherche en neuropsychologie et cognition (CERNEC), and Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Posted: 02/24/2009



This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.

Divorce Survival Does it seem like your life has fallen apart since you divorce?This hypnosis session addresses issues such as letting go of anger& bitterness,visualizing a compelling future,self care suggestions,&it can become a valuable tool for you to grow & heal.

Attracting Your Love Do you hope to find that special someone in your life, a Soul Mate? This hypnosis session works on a deep mental level to help you visualize the kind of person or people you want to attract. You’ll become happier as your circle of love expands!

Creative Solutions Unleash Your Inner Creative Genius by awakening the required parts of the brain.This hypnosis session helps you get your misconceptions and limitations out of the way and nurtures your true creative genius. Enjoy the beauty of a creative life!