Meditation is increasingly being practiced as a therapeutic technique. The effects of practice on psychometrically assessed anxiety levels have been extensively researched. Prospective meditators tend to report above average levels of anxiety. In general, high anxiety levels predict a subsequent low frequency of practice. However, the evidence suggests that those who practice regularly tend to show significant decreases in anxiety. Meditation does not appear to be more effective than comparative interventions in reducing anxiety. There is evidence to suggest that hypnotizability and expectancy may both play a role in reported anxiety decrements. Certain individuals, with a capacity to engage in autonomous self-absorbed relaxation, may benefit most from meditation.