Serum melatonin and serotonin levels in long-term skilled meditators.
J C Thambyrajah, H W Dilanthi, S M Handunnetti, Dwn Dissanayake
Explore 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.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on serotonin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Healthy volunteers | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 8 |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| The Serotonin System and Spiritual Experiences Normal male subjects, ages 20-45 years | 2003 | Observational cohort | n = 15 |
| Whole-Brain Multimodal Neuroimaging Model Using Serotonin Receptor Maps Explains Non-linear Functional Effects of LSD. Healthy human participants | 2018 | Observational study with computational modeling |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Respiratory function in healthy long-term meditators: A cross-sectional comparative study Heliyon July 22, 2023
- Multidimensional Analysis of Twin Sets During an Intensive Week-Long Meditation Retreat: A Pilot Study. Mindfulness 2025
- Effectiveness of Yoga-based guided meditation In Improving the quality of sleep in patients with coronary artery disease: The Yoga Nidra Trial American Journal of Preventive Cardiology July 1, 2026
- Effects of Meditation on Dopamine, Glutamate, and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Among Long-Term Skilled Meditators in Sri Lanka Mindfulness June 12, 2026
- The neurophysiological effects of yogic meditation observed in electroencephalography patterns and neurotransmitter levels: A narrative review of scientific evidence. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 10
- Dose-response Relationship of Reported Lifetime Meditation Practice with Mental Health and Wellbeing: a Cross-sectional Study. Mindfulness 2022
- Enhanced dehydroepiandrosterone levels are positively correlated with N3 sleep stage in long-term mindfulness meditation practitioners. Sleep Science 2022
- Potential Mechanisms of Mindfulness in Improving Sleep and Distress. Mindfulness 2018
- Meditation and its regulatory role on sleep. Frontiers in Neurology April 18, 2012
- Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A Review of Empirical Studies Clinical Psychology Review May 13, 2011
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