Dr. Horace E. Walcott, aka Errol Bhai, an ex-BK, has been exploring for more than three decades, the influences of Yoga meditation on the causes of cancer and cancer prevention. Before he became a toxicologist, he presented a paper as a veterinarian, at a medical conference AT Mount Abu, in 1985 on the influence of Yoga meditation on cancer. The foundation of the ability of Yoga meditation or mindfulness techniques in preventing cancer or curing cancer depends on the degree to which the altered states of consciousness can elicit Benson’s relaxation response (RR).
Investigations by Bashin et al (2013) have demonstrated that many forms of mindfulness meditation through the RR can cause beneficial effects in terms of nucleic acid transcription and translation. The cell signaling path way for inflammation is also a role in cancer formation. Studies have also demonstrated that the RR can elicit the changes through cell signal transduction or the biochemical communication pathways for cells. The cell signal pathways are the same pathways through which stress can exacerbate cancer formation at the molecular level or induce carcinogenesis.
An investigative team with Walcott has discussed recently the ability of altered states of consciousness to induce positive DNA/RNA changes (Sun, Thompson, Johanson, & Walcott, 2015). The changes are at the translational, transcriptional levels. In addition, induced changes in brain biochemistry demonstrated by PET scan imaging or MRI scan (Fox et al., 2014), have been demonstrated. Thus far, there are no documented studies demonstrating the effects of BKRJY on DNA/RNA transcription and translation.
At the experimental level, Walcott’s research focus has been in the areas of neuroendocrine toxicology and the biophysics of fish locomotion and biomimetics. In the 1990s, he co-developed with his major professor, W.R Hartley a test for low-dose, sub-lethal carcinogens in water. The animal model used in their investigation was the Japanese Medaka, Oryzias latipes (Walcott, 2006).
In the summer of 1983 Walcott, BK Barbara Moore and another RJY student from the Tuskegee RJY Center were interviewed by the NBC affiliate, Channel 12 on the medical effects of meditation. The name of the program was Focus and the reporter was Kim Davis.
The 30 min video was screened in Madhuban in 1985 and was received a cold reception. In almost a quarter of a century, except for one occasion, Walcott has not been in contact with BKSU.
References
Bhasin, M. K., Dusek, J. A., Chang, B., Joseph, M. G., Denninger, J. W., Fricchione, G. L., & ... Libermann, T. A. (2013). Relaxation response induces temporal transcriptome changes in energy metabolism, insulin secretion and inflammatory pathways. Plos One, 8(5), e62817. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062817
Fox, K. C., Nijeboer, S., Dixon, M. L., Floman, J. L., Ellamil, M., Rumak, S. P., & ... Christoff, K. (2014). Review: Is meditation associated with altered brain structure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphmetric neuroimaging in meditation practitioners. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 43:48-73. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.016. Epub 2014 Apr 3
Sun, A., Thompson, C., Johanson, J., and Walcott, H.E. (2015, February). Healthy aging strategies: The one world-one health, complementary and alternative medicine and health approach. Winter Institute, ATSU, Mesa, Arizona.
Walcott, H.E. (2006). The Clinical management of a colony of Japanese medaka, Orizias latipes.
Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Tampa, Florida.