Comparative analysis of stress hormones in long-term meditators and non-meditators
D. Warawita, J. Thambyrajah, S. Handunnetti, Dilshani W. N. Dissanayake
Ceylon Journal of Medical Science December 10, 2024 DOI: 10.4038/cjms.v61i1.5074 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Comparative cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | 30 long-term Vipassana meditators and 30 age-, gender-, and education-matched non-meditator controls |
| Intervention | Vipassana meditation |
| Measures | ELISA |
| Key findings | Long-term Vipassana meditators showed significantly lower cortisol and adrenaline levels than matched non-meditators, while growth hormone and glucagon differences were not statistically significant. The authors suggest meditation's endocrine effects may primarily target stress pathways. |
Abstract
Background: Meditation, rooted in ancient traditions, has gained prominence as a tool for managing stress in modern health and wellness. This study aims on the impact of long-term Vipassana meditation on the regulation of stress hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline, growth hormone, and glucagon, to explore its physiological benefits.Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study involved 30 long-term Vipassana meditators and 30 age-, gender-, and education-matched non-meditator controls. Blood samples were analyzed for cortisol, adrenaline, growth hormone, and glucagon using ELISA. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, with t-tests for parametric and Mann-Whitney U tests for non-parametric data.Results: Meditators exhibited significantly lower cortisol (126.4 ± 16.37 ng/ml) and adrenaline (35.9 ± 12.09 pg/ml) levels compared to controls (cortisol: 150.5 ± 18.62 ng/ml; adrenaline: 43.6 ± 14.98 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Growth hormone levels were higher in meditators (median: 6.7 ng/ml) compared to controls (median: 3.35 ng/ml), though not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In contrast, glucagon levels were slightly lower in meditators (median: 94.6 pg/ml) than in controls (median: 103.4 pg/ml), without reaching statistical significance (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Long-term Vipassana meditation is associated with reduced levels of stress hormones, particularly cortisol and adrenaline, highlighting its potential as an effective stress management tool. The non-significant differences in growth hormone and glucagon suggest that meditation’s endocrine effects may primarily target stress pathways. Future research is needed to explore these mechanisms further and assess broader endocrine implications.