Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

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 Sandvik

Med 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

Add Comment 0 Comments

2586 105

Editorial

01 November 2023 : Editorial  

Editorial: Factors Driving New Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Immune Escape, and Resistance to Antiviral Treatments as the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic is Declared

Dinah V. Parums
Science Editor, Medical Science Monitor, International Scientific Information, Inc., Melville,

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942960

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e942960

0:00

In Press

28 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research  

Impact of Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography on Therapeutic Decisions and ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942122  

28 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research  

Long-Term Outcomes of Decompression and Grafting in Acute Pathological Proximal Femur Fractures in Children...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943031  

27 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research  

Comparison of Outcomes from Emergency Admissions to a Major Trauma Center in Turkey of 1646 Elderly Patient...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942916  

27 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research  

Evaluating Modified Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Enhanced Postoperative Recovery in ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942757  

Most Viewed Current Articles

13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research  

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788

0:00

30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research  

Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379

0:00

14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research  

Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

DOI :10.12659/MSM.937990

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990

0:00

08 Mar 2022 : Review article  

A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750