This New Study Shows Meditation Can Reduce Pain

A growing body of scientific research shows that there may be real physical benefit to meditation.

While this ancient technique is practiced by many for relaxation and mental health benefits, a new study has found that it may also help relieve physical pain.

In the study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, meditators were tested against a non-meditating control group. Scientists exposed both groups to a painful stimulus. The group that meditated experienced at least 21% less pain than members of the control group.

While the researchers are unclear on why meditation worked to block pain, they suggested that it could be a useful practice for people who live with chronic pain.

The good news?

You don’t necessarily have to meditate for years to start seeing results. The researchers say that subjects saw a dramatic reduction in pain after just 80 minutes of practice.