Autism may involve dysfunction of the pineal gland, leading to low melatonin levels and sleep disorders. The pineal gland's principal hormone, melatonin, synchronizes body processes with circadian and seasonal rhythms. Abnormal neuroplasticity in autism, such as cortical overgrowth and dendritic spine dysgenesis, might be caused by hyperactivity of endogenous N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which the pineal gland may produce. This suggests that pineal dysfunction could contribute to autism through both melatonin deficiency and abnormal DMT metabolism. Future research into the DMT hypothesis and reexamination of prior observations could inform treatments involving exogenous melatonin and controlled light exposure.
A scoping review of 14 trials involving 723 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) examined the use of meditation and mindfulness interventions (MMIs) for managing the condition. Various MMIs were used, including Rajayoga, Yoga Nidra, OM cyclic meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindful yoga. Outcomes were mostly assessed in psychological domains, followed by anthropometric, quality of life, and metabolic measures. The review suggests that integrating MMIs with conventional treatment may improve psychosocial well-being and quality of life. However, adequately powered studies with longer follow-up are needed to understand the mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy, especially for reproductive outcomes and weight management.
A month-long silent meditation retreat reduced circulating levels of oxytocin in 28 retreat participants compared to 34 control participants, who showed no change. Higher openness to experience at the start predicted greater oxytocin decreases, and lower oxytocin at the end was linked to stronger feelings of personal connection with fellow meditators. Oxytocin changes were unrelated to attachment style or anxiety. Vasopressin decreased similarly in both groups, indicating no specific retreat effect. The authors interpret these preliminary findings cautiously, noting measurement limitations and suggesting future research to differentiate effects of meditation practices and contexts on oxytocin signaling.