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Norepinephrine alterations under stress conditions following the regular practice of meditation.

E M Morrell, J G Hollandsworth

Psychosomatic Medicine March 1, 1986 DOI: 10.1097/00006842-198603000-00012 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Population Meditators and controls
Intervention Meditation
Duration 30 days of meditation practice
Topics Meditation
Keywords Humans Norepinephrine Stress, psychological Arousal Blood pressure Heart rate Isometric contraction Adult Female Relaxation therapy
Key findings Meditators showed a trend toward higher plasma norepinephrine than controls during isometric handgrip, but this did not appear to reflect cardiovascular down-regulation. Meditators also produced higher norepinephrine levels during venipuncture, accompanied by marginally lower heart rate. The authors argue the results support an association between regular meditation and noradrenergic hyperactivation, while noting that underlying mechanisms need further investigation.

Abstract

The present study reexamined an investigation that found enhanced plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels during isometric handgrip after 30 days of meditation practice. Since hemodynamic activity did not show corresponding increases, it was suggested that meditation had down regulated the cardiovascular response to sympathetic stimulation. The present study assessed response to venipuncture as well as isometric stress. At posttest, meditators showed a trend towards higher plasma NE levels than controls during isometric handgrip. However, in contrast to previous speculation, this did not appear to represent cardiovascular down-regulation. At the same time, meditators produced the greater NE levels during venipuncture, accompanied by marginally lower heart rate. The results support the association between regular meditation and noradrenergic hyperactivation, but suggest the need for further investigation of underlying mechanisms.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students 2006 Observational cohort
Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia 1992 Observational cohort n = 22
Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls 2005 Observational cohort n = 20
Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls 2011 Observational cohort
Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls 2004 Observational cohort

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