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Research: TOOLEY and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 63
Abstract
TOOLEY and colleagues, School of Psychology, La Trobe University, Victoria, Bundoora, Australia, investigated whether a period of meditation could influence plasma melatonin levels.
Background
Methodology
Two groups of meditators were tested, in a repeated measures design study, for plasma melatonin levels at midnight.
Results
Experienced meditators practising either TM-Sidhi or another internationally well known form of yoga had significantly higher plasma melatonin levels in the period immediately following meditation compared with the same period at the same time on a control night.
Conclusion
Meditation, at least in the forms studied here, can affect plasma melatonin levels. Facilitation of higher physiological melatonin levels at appropriate times of day may be one route via which the acclaimed health benefits of meditation occur.
References
Tooley GA et al. Acute increases in night-time plasma melatonin levels following a period of meditation. Biological Psychiatry 53 (1): 69-78. May 2000.
