Finally, in terms of mechanism, the Transcendental Meditation program may promote
cardiovascular balance and homeostasis through integrated neurophysiologic, neuroendocrine,
and cardiovascular mechanisms [49••]. It has been documented that the brain triggers
physiologic stress responses through cortical modulation of the autonomic nervous system and
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis [9]. Of primary importance are the prefrontal cortex
and the limbic system, which process cognitive and emotional responses to potentially stressful
situations [9].