Herbert Benson is an American physician, cardiologist, and educator, known as one of the pioneers in the field of mind-body medicine. He was born in 1935 and is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work on the relaxation response, which is a physiological state opposite to the stress (or "fight or flight") response. Benson described the relaxation response as a state of profound rest that can be elicited through various techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, and prayer. He has authored or co-authored several books, with "The Relaxation Response" being one of his most popular works. Benson is also the founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, which emphasizes the role of stress reduction and mental health in treating physical illness. His work has significantly influenced the integration of holistic and complementary medicine with traditional healthcare practices.