Serum hormonal concentrations following transcendental meditation--potential role of gamma aminobutyric acid.
A N Elias, A F Wilson
Medical Hypotheses April 1, 1995 DOI: 10.1016/0306-9877(95)90181-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Transcendental meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Hypothalamus Humans Gamma-aminobutyric acid Prolactin Pituitary hormones Thyrotropin Receptors, gaba-a Models, biological Arginine vasopressin Relaxation therapy Stress, physiological |
| Key points | The authors hypothesize that transcendental meditation produces changes in pituitary hormone secretion by enhancing hypothalamic GABAergic tone, and that its anxiolytic effects result from promoting GABAergic tone in specific brain areas. They propose this mechanism resembles the action of benzodiazepines at the GABA-A receptor and may work by enhancing an endogenous neurotransmitter, analogous to endorphins in the 'runner's high'. |
Abstract
Transcendental mediation (TM) is a stylized form of physical and mental relaxation which is associated with changes in the secretion and release of several pituitary hormones. The hormonal changes induced by TM mimic the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is hypothesized that TM produces changes in pituitary hormone secretion by enhancing hypothalamic GABAergic tone, and its anxiolytic effects by promoting GABAergic tone in specific areas of the brain. This mechanism is similar to the effects of synthetic anxiolytic and tranquilizing agents such as benzodiazepines that bind to components of the GABA-A (GABAA) receptor. TM, therefore, may produce relaxation by enhancing the effects of an endogenous neurotransmitter analogous to the effects of endorphins in runners who reportedly experience a 'runner's high'.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Enhanced dehydroepiandrosterone levels are positively correlated with N3 sleep stage in long-term mindfulness meditation practitioners. Sleep Science 2022
- Neuroplastic Effects of Meditation-Based Neurofeedback on the Pathological Brain 2023 11th International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction Workshops and Demos September 10, 2023
- Effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique on Anxiety, Depression, and Plasma Neurotransmitters on a Healthy Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial Followed by a Case–Control Study The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 25, 2021
- Study of impact of transcendental meditation on reaction time and cardiovascular parameters in young healthy volunteers International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences March 26, 2020
- Mindfulness-Based Meditation Versus Progressive Relaxation Meditation: Impact on Chronic Pain in Older Female Patients With Diabetic Neuropathy Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine 2019
and 4 more in the library
Cites 7
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- Modulation of red cell metabolism by states of decreased activation: comparison between states. Physiology & Behavior November 1985
- Hormonal control in a state of decreased activation: potentiation of arginine vasopressin secretion. Physiology & Behavior October 1, 1985
- Metabolic control in a state of decreased activation: modulation of red cell metabolism. American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content November 1983
- Redistribution of blood flow in acute hypometabolic behavior. American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content July 1978
and 2 more in the library