A method that reduces stress responses would in turn attenuate stress-induced activation of innate immune and neuroendocrine responses. This proposal inspired a study by Pace et al. who examined the effect of compassion meditation on innate immune, neuroendocrine, and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress. Pace also assessed the degree to which engagement in meditation practice influenced stress reactivity. The study involved randomizing a large group of adults into either six weeks of training in compassion meditation or participation in a control group with health discussion followed by exposure to a standardized laboratory stressor. Responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) were determined by evaluating the concentrations of interleukin 6 and cortisol which are known markers of the immune system and stress responses respectively (Pace, 3). They found that within the meditation group, increased meditation practice was related to TSST-induced decreases in IL-6 and lower Profile of Mood States (POMS) distress scores. They also found that individuals with above-average meditation practice times showed lower TSST-induced IL-6 and POMS distress scores than below-average individuals, which did not differ from controls (Pace, 4). These data suggest that engaging in compassion meditation can reduce stress-induced immune and behavioral responses, suggesting that compassion meditation provides a physiological benefit to our bodies..