Table 2.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria.
| Inclusion criteria |
| Able to lie still in the scanner for 90 minutes |
| Meets MRI safety standards |
| Weighs under 300 pounds |
| 18–65 years old |
| Right-handed |
| No previous experience with meditation. |
| No daily practice with other mind-body techniques (e.g., yoga, tai-chi, but previous exposure to yoga is okay) |
| In good general health as determined by the investigator |
| Able to walk |
| Able to understand and speak English |
| Able to provide written consent prior to admission |
| Able to see without glasses (as if looking through binoculars) |
| Exclusion Criteria |
| Diabetes |
| Peripheral vascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, Raynaud's disease, or any other diagnosed circulatory disorders |
| Body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 |
| Any involuntary motor disorders |
| Allergic to adhesive tape |
| A history of problems of any kind during blood draws or needle phobia |
| 2 or more of the following: Diagnosed hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, High cholesterol, Obesity, Smoke cigarettes, Family history of coronary or atherosclerotic disease (parents/siblings prior to age 55) |
| Current medical disorders that might make interpretation of scan data difficult |
| Has a problem with alcohol or non prescription drugs |
| Currently uses or plans to start medications that affect CNS function, including psychotropics, opiate medication or corticosteroids, during the last 3 months (including medications for anxiety, depression, or other psychological problems) |
| Takes inhaled steroids for asthma? (e.g., Fluticasone) |
| Takes any corticosteroids |
| Night shift workers (11 pm to 7 am) d/t potential disruption of cortisol level variability |
| Diabetes requiring insulin treatment |
| Has TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint) disorder or other problems with biting/chewing |
| Previous training in meditation |
| Currently meditates on a regular basis |
| Daily yoga, tai-chi, or Qigong practice |
| Engagement in moderate sport and recreational activities more than 5 times a week |
| Engagement in vigorous sport and recreational activities more than 4 times a week |
| Not able to attend an informational session, all class meetings, and all clinic visits |