01 March 2004
The effects of long meditation on plasma melatonin and blood serotonin
Erik E. Solberg, Are Holen, Øivind Ekeberg, Bjarne Østerud, Ragnhild Halvorsen, Leiv SandvikMed Sci Monit 2004; 10(3): CR96-101 :: ID: 11604
Abstract
Background:The benefits of meditation are well documented, but the biochemical mechanisms have not been fully identified. One effect mechanism may be via influence on neurotransmitters.Material/Methods: Therefore, plasma melatonin and blood serotonin concentrations were measured before and after one hour of meditation in advanced male meditators (n=27, mean age 46 years). They were compared with a matched reference group (n=29, mean age 43 years) who rested for one hour. In the meditators, melatonin and serotonin from before and after three consecutive hours of meditation were also compared.Results: Initially, the median melatonin level was 4.9 pg/ml–1 in the meditators and 3.1 pg/ml–1 in the reference group (p<0.01). After one hour of practice, melatonin had decreased to a median of 3.4 pg/ml–1 in the meditators (p<0.0001), but was unchanged in the reference group. After three hours of meditation, melatonin had declined further in the meditators. After one hour of practice, serotonin concentrations decreased in both the meditators and the reference group (p<0.01).
Conclusions: The findings suggest that advanced meditators have higher melatonin levels than non-meditators. Melatonin decreases during long meditation, a finding the study does not explain. Serotonin declines after both one-hour meditation and rest, indicating that serotonin may be a marker of general rest and not meditation-specific relaxation.
Keywords: Meditation, Melatonin - blood, Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism, Relaxation, Relaxation Techniques, Rest, Serotonin - blood, Time Factors, Meditation, Melatonin - blood, Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism, Relaxation, Relaxation Therapy, Rest, Serotonin - blood, Time Factors
Editorial
01 May 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: First Regulatory Approval for Adoptive Cell Therapy with Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) – Lifileucel (Amtagvi)DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944927
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944927
In Press
26 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
New Computerized Planning Algorithm and Clinical Testing of Optimized Nuss Bar Design for Patients with Pec...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943705
07 May 2024 : Clinical Research
Treatment of AVN-Induced Proximal Pole Scaphoid Nonunion Using a Fifth and Fourth Extensor Compartmental Ar...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944553
16 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Diagnostic Efficiency of ACR-TIRADS Score for Differentiating Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules of Vario...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943228
08 May 2024 : Clinical Research
Effect of Individualized PEEP Guided by Driving Pressure on Diaphragm Function in Patients Undergoing Lapar...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944022
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952