Serum melatonin and serotonin levels in long-term skilled meditators.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) January 1, 2023 J C Thambyrajah, H W Dilanthi, S M Handunnetti et al.
Long-term Vipassana meditators had significantly higher serum melatonin and serotonin levels than matched non-meditating controls. Median melatonin was 18.3 pg/ml in meditators versus 15.6 pg/ml in controls (p = 0.006); median serotonin was 149.0 ng/ml versus 118.1 ng/ml (p < 0.001). Levels did not correlate with demographic factors but positively correlated with meditation factors among those who had meditated for 10 years or less. The findings suggest elevated melatonin and serotonin in long-term meditators may contribute to reduced stress and improved relaxation.