A summary of research on the Maharishi Effect

When 1% of the population of a city is practising Transcendental Meditation, or the square root of 1% of the population is practising together in a group, there are a variety of positive improvements in society. This was first predicted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1962 before any research had taken place and this phenomenon is known as the Maharishi Effect. The seven tables below list the benefits to society in different categories of effects. If you click on the authors name, that will in most cases take you either to the original paper or the abstract. At the end of the tables is some information about most of the lead authors.

Table 1: Decreases in political violence

Experimental period(s) Location Reference
1990–2008 Cambodia Fergusson & Cavanaugh (2019)
1983–1985 Lebanon Davies & Alexander (2005)
1983–1985 Worldwide terrorism and international conflict Orme-Johnson et al (2003)
17/12/83 – 6/1/84 Nicaragua, Grenada, Honduras, El Salvador, Columbia, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Chad, S.  Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Libya, Uganda, Kampuchea, Laos, Vietnam, N. Ireland and Spain. Orme-Johnson et al (1989)
July 82–March 84 Baskinta, Lebanon Nader et al (1989)
31/7/83 – 30/9/83 Lebanon Orme-Johnson et al (1988)
Ten weeks in the autumn 1978 Nicaragua, Middle East, Kampuchea (now Cambodia), Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Orme-Johnson et al (1989)

Table 2: Decreases in crime and homicide

Experimental Period(s) Location(s) Reference
2000–2016 USA Orme-Johnson et al (2022)
2000–2016 USA Cavanaugh et al (2022)
2007–2010 USA Cavanaugh & Dillbeck (2017)
2007–2010 USA Dillbeck & Cavanaugh (2016)
June, July 1993 Washington D.C. Hagelin et al (1999)
1988–1991 Merseyside, UK Hatchard et al (1996)
1970–1986 & 1972-1986 USA and Canada Dillbeck & Rainforth (1996)
1983–1985 & 1972-1986 Canada Assimakis & Dillbeck (1995)
1979–1985 USA Dillbeck (1990)
1979–1986 State of Iowa Reeks (1990)
17/12/83 – 6/1/84 State of Victoria, Australia, Washington D.C. Karachi, Pakistan Orme-Johnson et al (1989)
9/7/79 – 20/8/79 Massachusets and USA Davies & Aexander (1989)
1981–1983 Washington D.C. Lanford (1989)
1/8/81–15/8/81 & 19/12/81–3/1/82 Netherlands Burgman et al (1989)
1973–June 1976 Cleveland USA Hatchard (1989)
1976–1983 USA & Iowa Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
1/8/83 – 30/9/83 Jerusalem, Israel Orme-Johnson et al (1988)
1972–1978 & 1972–1979 40 USA cities, USA, 80 metropolitan areas USA and Washington D.C. Dillbeck et al (1988) full paper and abstract
1980–1981, 1984–1985, 1984, 1979–1981, 12/6/78–12/9/78 respectively Dehli, India, Metro Manila Philippines, Puerto Rico, Metro Manila and Rhode Island USA. Dillbeck et al (1987)
1973–1978 USA Dillbeck et al (1981)
1973 USA Borland and Landrith (1977)

Table 3: Improvements in economic factors

Experimental period(s) Economic variable Location(s) Reference
1994 National competitive advantage New Zealand and Norway Hatchard & Cavanaugh (2017)
1983–1985 & 1972–1986 Strikes Canada Assimakis & Dillbeck (1995)
1979–1986 Unemployment Iowa Reeks (1990)
1976–1983 Gross national product USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
1979–1988 Misery Index USA Cavanaugh et al (1990)
1979–1988 Misery Index USA Cavanaugh et al (1989)
1979–1988 Misery Index USA Cavanaugh et al (1989)
1983–1984 Stock market Worldwide Cavanaugh et al (1989)
1981–1983 Stock market Washington D.C Lanford (1989)
9/7/79 – 20/8/79 Stock market USA Davies & Aexander (1989)
August Sept 1983 Stock market Israel Orme-Johnson et al (1988)
Jan 82 – May 83 Stock market UK Beresford & Clements (1989)
17/12/83 – 6/1/84 Patent applications USA, Australia, S. Africa and UK Orme-Johnson et al (1989)
1979–1988 Misery Index USA Cavanaugh & King (1988)
1979–1988 Misery Index USA Cavanaugh (1987)
12/6/78–12/9/78 Unemployment Rhode Island Dillbeck et al (1987)

Table 4: Decreases in various kinds of fatalities excluding car accident fatalities

Experimental period(s) Type of fatality Location(s) Reference
2000–2016 Infant mortality USA Orme-Johnson et al (2022)
2007–2010 Infant mortality USA Dillbeck & Cavanaugh (2017)
2007–2010 Various accidental  deaths USA Cavanaugh & Dillbeck (2017)
June, July 1993 Various accidental deaths Washington D.C. Goodman et al (1997)
1970–1986 & 1972–1986 Various accidental deaths USA Dillbeck & Rainforth (1996)
1970–1986 & 1972–1986 Suicide Canada and USA Dillbeck & Rainforth (1996)
1983–1985 & 1972–1986 Suicide Canada Assimakis & Dillbeck (1995)
1979–1985 Suicide USA Dillbeck (1990)
1976–1983 Suicide USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
1972-1977 Suicide USA Landrith & Dillbeck (1989)
1976–1983 Infant mortality Iowa and USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
17/12/83 – 6/1/84 Air transport fatalities Worldwide Orme-Johnson et al (1989)
9/7/79 – 20/8/79 Air transport fatalities USA Davies & Aexander (1989)
9/7/79 – 20/8/79 Various accidental deaths Massachusets and USA Davies & Aexander (1989)

Table 5: Decrease in motor vehicle accidents and fatalities

Experimental period(s) Location(s) Reference
2000 – 2016 USA Orme-Johnson et al (2022)
2007–2010 USA Cavanaugh & Dillbeck (2017)
1970–1986 & 1972–1986 Canada and USA Dillbeck & Rainforth (1996)
1970–1986 & 1972–1986 Canada Assimakis & Dillbeck (1995)
1979–1985 USA Dillbeck (1990)
1979–1986 Iowa, USA Reeks (1990)
17/12/83 – 6/1/84 USA, S. Africa, and States of Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria, Australia. Orme-Johnson et al (1989)
1976–1983 Iowa and USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
9/7/79 – 20/8/79 Massachusets & USA Davies & Aexander (1989)
1972-1977 USA Landrith & Dillbeck (1989)
1/8/83 – 30/9/83 Jerusalem Orme-Johnson et al (1988)
12/6/78–-12/9/78 Rhode Island Dillbeck et al (1987)

Table 6: Improvements with factors related to health

Experimental period(s) Health variable Location(s) Reference
2000 – 2016 Drug related deaths USA Dillbeck & Cavanaugh (2023)
2000 – 2016 Drug related deaths USA Orme-Johnson et al (2022)
2007–2010 Drug related deaths USA Dillbeck & Cavanaugh (2017)
June, July 1993 Hospital trauma cases Washington D.C. Goodman et al (1997)
June, July 1993 Emergency psychiatric calls Washington D.C. Goodman et al (1997)
1970–1986 & 1972–1986 Notifiable diseases USA Dillbeck & Rainforth (1996)
1970–1986 & 1972–1986 Alcohol consumption USA Dillbeck & Rainforth (1996)
1970–1986 & 1972–1986 Cigarette consumption Canada and USA Dillbeck & Rainforth (1996)
1983–1985 & 1972–1986 Cigarette consumption Canada Assimakis & Dillbeck (1995)
1976–1983 Cigarette consumption USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
1976–1983 Alcohol consumption Iowa and USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
1976–1983 Infectious diseases Iowa and USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
17/12/83 – 6/1/84 Notifiable diseases USA and Australia Orme-Johnson et al (1989)
1976–1983 Divorce rate Iowa & USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)
1/8/1983–30/9/1983 Fires Jerusalem, Israel Orme-Johnson et al (1988)
12/6/78–12/9/78 Alcohol consumption Rhode Island Dillbeck et al (1987)
12/6/78–12/9/78v Cigarette consumption Rhode Island Dillbeck et al (1987)

Table 7: Improvements in political life

Experimental period Political and social variable Location(s) Reference
1984–1987 USA/Soviet relations USA and Soviet Union Gelderloos et al (2019)
1979–1986 USA/Soviet relations USA and Soviet Union Cavanaugh et al (2018)
1983–1985 Cooperation amongst antagonists Lebanon & Israel Davies & Alexander (2005)
June, July 1993 Presidential approval ratings USA Goodman et al (1997)
June, July 1993 Media positivity towards the President USA Goodman et al (1997)
17/12/83 – 6/1/84 Positive statements from the Head of State USA, Soviet Union & UK[1] Orme-Johnson et al (1989)
1976–1983 Percentage of civil cases reaching trial USA Orme-Johnson & Gelderloos (1989)

Review, Factor Analysis, Response to Critiques, Cambodia and Peru

  1. A review of the research on the Maharishi Effect 1974 to 2017.
  2. A factor analysis of the different influence of the Maharishi Effect on different variables.
  3. Responses to two critiques in 1990 and 2009.
  4. Qualitative research on Cambodia in the period 1980 – 2015.
  5. Qualitative research in Peru between 1980 and 2020.

Author bio

Alexander, C.N. PhD in Psychology from Harvard; 1984 to 1998 Professor of Psychology at Maharishi International University.

Cavanaugh, K.L. PhD, University of Washington (Economics), MA, Stanford University, Graduate School of Education (Psychological Studies in Education), MPA (Master of Public Affairs), Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, AB, Yale University (cum laude). Research Professor and Director of Collective Consciousness Research, Dr. Tony Nader Institute of Research on Consciousness and its Applied Technologies, Maharishi International University; Professor of Applied Statistics Emeritus, College of Business Administration, Maharishi International University.

Davies, J.L. LL.B., M.Litt., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in law, psychology and political psychology/international conflict management from the Australian National University, the University of New England and Maharishi International University, with additional graduate work at Harvard University. Co-Director of the Partners in Conflict and Partners in Peacebuilding Projects, and Senior Associate with the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM), Department of Government and Politics, at the University of Maryland.

Dillbeck, M.C. PhD in Psychology from Purdue University. Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Maharishi International University.

Fergusson, L. Associate Professor of Professional Studies at University of Southern Queensland and Yudhishthira Professor of Vedic Science, Education and the Environment at Maharishi Vedic Research Institute. For the education work he carried out, and described in the research mentioned in table one above, he received the Royal Order of Sahametrei, the highest civilian honour bestowed on a non-Cambodian by the King of Cambodia, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni.

Gelderloos, P. PhD in Social Studies from Radboud University, Netherlands

Goodman, R.S. Master’s in Higher Education Administration, MIU. Currently Adjunct Associate Professor, MIU. Studied English at Boston University, PhD in Psychology from Maharishi International University.

Hagelin, J.S. Physics, A.B. summa cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1975 and his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1981. He did research at CERN and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Centre. Dr. Hagelin is a recipient of the prestigious Kilby Award, which recognizes scientists who have made “major contributions to society through their applied research in the fields of science and technology.” The award recognized Dr. Hagelin as “a scientist in the tradition of Einstein, Jeans, Bohr and Eddington.”He is currently director of the Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy, Professor of physics and President at Maharishi International University, and President of the Global Union of Scientists for Peace.

Hatchard, G.D. PhD in Psychology from Maharishi International University.

Lanford, A.G. PhD in Sociology from Stanford University.

Nader, T.A. Medicine at the University of America in Beirut, PhD in Neuroscience from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, post-doctoral work at Harvard. Head of the international Transcendental Meditation organisations in over 100 countries.

Orme-Johnson, D.W. Professor Emeritus, MIU, BA from Columbia and PhD in experimental psychology from the University of Maryland.

Peer-reviewed journals that have published research on the Maharishi Effect

  • Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
  • International Journal of Neuroscience
  • Journal of Conflict Resolution
  • Journal of Crime and Justice
  • Journal of Mind and Behavior
  • Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
  • Journal of Social Behavior and Personality
  • Psychological Reports
  • Psychology, Crime, and Law
  • Social Indicators Research
  • Social Science Perspectives Journal
  • Society of Neuroscience Abstracts

Professional associations that have published research on the Maharishi Effect in their conference proceedings

  • American Statistical Association
  • American Political Science Association
  • Midwest Management Society

Variables studied in the Maharishi Effect research

Intra- and international conflicts

Variables studied in the “Intra- and International Conflicts” category include:

  • a Peace/War Index
  • war deaths and injuries
  • S./Soviet interactions
  • S. President statements about the Soviets
  • international relations
  • war bombing
  • property damage
  • casualties
    terrorism data from the Rand Corporation
  • international conflicts
  • data from the Conflict and Peace Data Bank

Crime and violent death

Variables studied in the “Crime and Violent Death” category include:

  • FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics on total crime
  • violent crime
  • suicides
  • homicides
  • motor vehicle fatalities

Other social indicators

  • Variables studied in the “Other social indicators” category include:
  • the stock market
  • unemployment and inflation (the Misery Index)
  • S. Quality of Life Index including data on motor vehicle fatalities, suicides, homicides, accidental deaths, notifiable diseases, alcohol and cigarette consumption
  • Canada Quality of Life Index — motor vehicle fatalities, suicides, homicides, and cigarette consumption
  • Rhode Island Quality of Life Index — crime, mortality, traffic fatalities, auto accidents, pollution, unemployment, beer consumption
  • S. Quality of Life Index — crime, civil trials, infectious diseases, infant mortality, suicides, cigarette and alcohol consumption, GNP, patent applications, divorces, and traffic fatalities
  • Israeli Quality of Life Index — war deaths, crime, auto accidents, fires, stock market, and national mood