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Meditation and Medication
Medication Side Effects
There is a growing fear that prescription drugs are being used to medicate our society for simple things such as having “a bad hair day”. Medications should only be used for "severe" cases of depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders. However tens of billions of dollars are spent each year on antidepressants and many of the people are not benefiting from this course of action. Some common side effects of medications can include:
Dry mouth
Urinary retention
Blurred vision
Constipation
Sedation
Sleep disruption
Weight gain
Headache
Nausea
Gastrointestinal disturbance/diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Sexual dysfunction
Agitation
Anxiety
Confusion
Dizziness
Loss of motivation
Tremors
Impaired judgment
Can lead to suicidal thoughts and acts
Meditation Side Effects
Studies have confirmed that people who practice meditation at least four times a week find relief in their symptoms with no side effects. In fact, the positive effects persisted for more than four months after meditation practice ceased.
Inner peace
Tranquility
Relaxation
Quiet a turbulent mind
Reduces stress
Provides pain relief
Improve overall health
Increase concentration
Creates deeper sleep patterns
Increases a state of calmness
Helps reduce physical exhaustion
Accelerates spiritual evolution
Improves memory and intuition
Gradually eliminates nervousness
Lessens lactose in the blood
Slows down heart rhythm Balances hormone levels in the brain
The words meditate, medicine and medicate all share the same Latin root - medicus - meaning to cure. Modern medicine has failed to honor their oath “to cause no harm”. More and more deaths are caused by medication than the actual disease physicians are treating. In many cases, medications are required as life saving techniques however, it is estimated that over 200 billion dollars a year are spent on medications that people did not require.
Studies show that all illness has an emotional root. Most dis-ease is caused by some form of stress or emotional component. Total healing of self cannot be attained by a chemically induced state of mind that the effects of medication can produce. It is important to recognize that medication can lead to the suppression of feelings and emotions while meditation can lead to the expression of feelings and emotions.
Antidepressants and meditation have one thing in common, they increases serotonin production which influences mood and behavior. The major difference between the two of them is medication has adverse side effects with a 60%-70% cure rate and meditation has no side effects and with up to a 90% cure rate. When it comes to alternative therapy, meditation is one method that's leading the pack. Medical evidence beginning to pile up in its support of meditation. At the heart of mind/body medicine lies the age-old practice of meditation, a quiet, simple technique that boosts disease resistance and maintain overall health.
Five Minute Meditation
Sit quietly in a comfortable position
Pick a word or a picture to focus on
Relax your muscles
Breathe slowly and naturally, and as you do, focus on your word or picture.
Try to have a passive attitude. Please do not worry if other thoughts come to mind, simply say to yourself, "that’s okay," and quietly return to your focus.
Continue for five to eight minutes.
Practice this technique once or twice daily.
© Tyler Woods Ph.D 2005 Mindhance Wellness
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