The federal government is spending thousands of dollars to figure out if meditating during PMS can stop women from drinking too much.
The $42,676 study hypothesizes that PMS is stressful, stress makes people drink, and so women probably drink more during PMS and may need help stopping, the Washington Free Beacon reported.
It also explores whether or not “mindfulness” — which is the ability to pay attention to the present moment, non-judgmentally — might be able to stop women from drinking too much during PMS. People strive to achieve “mindfulness” through meditation, and the practice is a major part of the Buddhist religion.
So far, the results have been inconclusive. But researchers are just getting started — the study is scheduled to run through May 2017.
The research is seen as necessary because there has allegedly been a “historical bias towards men” in studying the effects of alcohol.
The study is being conducted by a graduate student at the University of Washington.
— Katherine Timpf is a reporter at National Review Online.