Serum melatonin and serotonin levels in long-term skilled meditators.
J C Thambyrajah, H W Dilanthi, S M Handunnetti, Dwn Dissanayake
Explore (New York, N.Y.) 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.03.006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Long-term Vipassana meditators and age, gender, and education level matched non-meditating controls |
| Intervention | Vipassana meditation |
| Topics | Meditation Serotonin |
| Keywords | Melatonin Neurochemicals, stress |
| Key findings | Long-term Vipassana meditators had significantly higher serum melatonin and serotonin levels compared to matched non-meditating controls. |
Abstract
Melatonin and its precursor serotonin are neurochemicals that play an important role in the physiological regulation of mood, sleep, and behavior. Studies have suggested the possibility of changes in the levels of melatonin and serotonin following meditation. However, the outcome of Buddhist meditation on both these two neurochemicals collectively have not been studied yet. To assess the effect of Vipassana meditation on serum melatonin and serotonin levels in long-term meditators and to compare them with an age, gender, and education level matched, non-meditating control group. The serum melatonin and serotonin levels of long-term meditators (n=30), recruited using a validated interview, and age, gender and educational level matched control subjects (n=30) who had never practiced meditation, were determined using commercial ELISA kits (LDN, Nordhorn, Germany). The median concentration of melatonin (18.3 pg/ml) and serotonin (149.0 ng/ml) in the meditator group, were significantly higher compared to the control group; melatonin (15.6 pg/ml; p = 0.006), serotonin (118.1 ng/ml; p < 0.001). The levels had no significant correlation with demographic factors but positively correlated with meditation factors in those who had meditated for <=10years (n=26, p < 0.05). The findings indicate elevated melatonin and serotonin levels in the long-term meditators with potential beneficial effects in decreasing stress and improving relaxation in individuals.