Meditation may reduce pain.

Meditation may bring more than peace, according to the results of a study at Wake Forest University. Researchers there found that individuals who were subjected to mild burns before and after a crash course in meditation reported a 40 percent decrease in pain after the mediation course.

This perception went far beyond the placebo effect, as brain scans indicated that there was almost no activity in the somatosensory cortex—an area of the brain that senses pain intensity—during meditation. The meditation blocked brain activity and reduced pain intensity by 40 percent and pain unpleasantness by 57 percent.

To put this in perspective, morphine and other pain relievers have been shown to reduce pain intensity by about 25 percent. The researchers theorized that one reason meditation might be so effective is that it addresses multiple levels of processing, rather than just one area of the brain.

The results of the study could have a powerful impact on pain management, possibly reducing the need for potentially addictive painkillers that come with a whole range of side effects. The brain scans showed what meditation devotees have long suspected—meditation changes brain activity.

Try it:

Once reserved for religious monks, meditation has become mainstream. The simple technique is available to anyone with a willingness to learn. Sometimes referred to as imagery or visualization, meditation refers to full concentration of the mind. The goal is not necessarily to clear the mind, but to control and discipline it so that it is not overrun with useless thoughts and fears. Meditation promotes a sense of peace and calm.

There are countless ways to meditate, but the simplest way to start is to assume a comfortable seated position in a quiet setting, close your eyes, and tune in to the breath. Focusing on the breath helps to quiet the mind and induce a calm state. Some people find that it helps to count to ten with each inhale and each exhale, which helps slow the breath and maintain focus. Spend five minutes quietly attuned to your breath and let the peace wash over you.