the research on any form of meditation is well documented. When you do it consistently over time, it works.
But certainly not "dramatically." In fact, overall not really all that impressively compared to many other positive human activities. And that's not even taking into consideration the effect of all that positive propaganda beforehand. It's rare that meditation is tried without some form of religious relationship, even if the meditator is spiritual not religous.
One thing I find interesting is that meditation provides some insight into consciousness but certainly does not provide any insight into how consciousness is being created. Research into consciousness is providing some information but none of this is available directly no matter how "transcended" a meditator might be.
"Go within?" What does that mean? You close your eyes and think about aka concentrate on your breathing or various bodily sensations or you repeat a mental verbal phrase and try not to go off too deeply into thoughts that are created by the holistic you. I mean you don't actually enter your body like in the Fantastic Voyage.
I had a funny thing happen to me a little while ago. A 50-year premie was explaining to somebody else that when she can't sleep she smokes some dope. I had to laugh because when I can't sleep I meditate. It works well for that purpose but then I'm already tired.
Just rambling
