The average person consumes 4.0 mls/kg/min of oxygen. Meditators use less oxygen in unstressful situations.
Here is the research:
Benson, H., R. Steinert, M. Greenwood, et al. [1148] "Continuous Measurement of O2 Consumption and CO Elimination during a Wakeful Hypometabolic State." Journal of Human Stress 1 (1975c): 37-44.
Glueck, B.C., and C.F. Stroebel. [1576] "Biofeedback as Meditation in the Treatment of Psychiatric Illnesses." Comprehensive Psychiatry 16, no. 4 (1975): 303-321.
Wenger, M.A., and B.K. Bagchi. [2588] "Studies of Autonomic Functions in Practitioners of Yoga in India." Behavior Science 6 (1961): 312-323.
Kasamatsu, A., and T. Hirai. [1798] "Science of Zazen." Psychologia 6 (1963): 86-91.
207. JEVNING, R.; WILSON, A. F.; and O'HALLORAN, J. P. Muscle and skinblood flow and metabolism during states of decreased activation. Physiology& Behavior 29(2): 343-348, 1982.
Fenwick, P., S. Donaldson, L. Gillis, et al. [1501] "Metabolic and EEG Changes during Transcendental Meditation: An Explanation." Biological Psychology 5, no. 2 (1977): 101-118.
