Adrenocortical activity during meditation

Jevning, R.; Wilson, Archie F.; Davidson, Julian M.

doi:10.1016/0018-506x(78)90024-7

Cited by 152 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…It should be noted, however, that retrograde transport of pttuitary hormones back Into the brain may provide an explanation [7] Based upon evidence this ability ol peripherallyadministered AVP and its analogs to modify human and animal behavior, it is tempting to speculate that increased peripheral AVP achvity may mediate reported effects of TM on learning, memory, and psychotherapeutlc processes I I 1, 12,32], and that the mechamsm of its increased secretion m me&tation may be more specifically related to its role as a psychochemical. Their data also further support previous research in&cating specificity of TM (in the very long-term subject) among rest states in ~ts effects on hormones, metabolism, and circulation [17][18][19][20] …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…It is of particular interest that th~s state of decreased activation along with ~ts opposite, states of stress, should both be associated with increased AVP secretion. The data of th~s study do not enable understanding of the specific mechamsm of increased secretion, tt is known, however, that either a special feature of TM and/or its repeated elicltatlon is assocmted with other hormonal changes, especially m the long-term practitioner, including increased prolactin [20] and markedly decreased cortisol secretion [17]. A role of subject selection is possible, although it is unhkely, since pAVP levels of the magnitudes have not been observed in a large number of [26] measurements this laboratory except m cases of disease If the increased AVP secretion in this study is not associated with either homeostasis or stress, it seems reasonable to propose an action related to the behavioral effects of me&-tation practice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…The purpose of the present study was to determine if long-term, regular practice of the technique of "transcendental meditation" (TM), reported to induce numerous behavioral changes [10,12,16,22,28], may be associated with altered secretion of AVP. This behavior, elicited twice daily in the morning and evening for 20--40 minute periods by the regular practitioner, is associated with major physiologic changes in long-term subjects [17][18][19]. …”

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confidence: 99%

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Hormonal control in a state of decreased activation: Potentiation of arginine vasopressin secretion

O’Halloran

Jevning

Wilson

et al. 1985

Physiology & Behavior

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PHYSIOL BEHAV 35(4) 591-595, 1985 --Behaviorally induced stress is associated with increased arginme vasopressln (AVP) secretion. In this report we describe a phasic conditioned response of AVP secretion yielding 2.6--7.1 times normal plasma concentration of this hormone m assocmtlon w~th a physmlog~cal state of decreased activation, that associated with the mental technique of "transcendental meditation" (TM) in long-term practltmners (6-8 years of regular elicitation) Such a very large phastc response of AVP was previously unknown m the normal physmlogy of AVP. This elevation was not accompanied by elevatmn of plasma osmolality. Unstyllzed ordinary eyes closed rest in a separate group of subjects studied in the same manner was associated with normal plasma AVP concentration. Galvanic skin resistance (GSR) increased dunng both TM and rest with significantly larger increase assocmted with TM. Other measures of activation, including muscle metabolism, and the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory indicated marked relaxatmn in associatmn with TM. In previous research it has been shown that blood pressure does not change acutely dunng th~s behavmr. These observations in&cate that neither stress nor operatmn of other usual homeostatic control mechamsms are responsible for elevated for AVP in the meditators. It is speculated that the apparently unique mechanism of TM-mduced AVP secretion may be more specifically related to the behavmral effects of meditatmn. [5,7,8] and, more specifially, the acquisition and retention of adaptive behavior patterns [4,8]. Additional reported effects of AVP in humans suggest psychotherapeutic and behavior-modifying properties [9,34] as well as improvement of attentional processes [ 1]. Implicit in many of these reports is the notion that naturally occurring modification of existing, or acquisition of new behavior patterns may be facilitated by an increase of endogenous AVP activity centrally and/or peripherally. However, except for states of stress, potentiation of AVP secretion associated with behavior modification or adaptation has not been demonstrated. The purpose of the present study was to determine if long-term, regular practice of the technique of "transcendental meditation" (TM), reported to induce numerous behavioral changes [10,12,16,22,28], may be associated with altered secretion of AVP. This behavior, elicited twice daily in the morning and evening for 20--40 minute periods by the regular practitioner, is associated with major physiologic changes in long-term subjects [17][18][19]. Hormones METHODTwelve subjects, six long-term meditation practitioners (5-10 year instructors of TM) and six non-meditating individuals ("ordinary rest" group), were studied. All subjects were normal, university educated individuals and did not use tobacco, alcohol or regular medication. Their ages ranged 1Requests for reprints should be addressed to R. Jevning, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Califorma, Irvine, Irvme, CA 92717. The additional point for the TM group represent...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hormonal control in a state of decreased activation: Potentiation of arginine vasopressin secretion

O’Halloran

Jevning

Wilson

et al. 1985

Physiology & Behavior

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“…The effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique extend to the noradrenergic networks [26], [37], [38], resulting in a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, both during meditation and continuing outside meditation, during activity. Practice of the technique increases serotonin availability, improving mood and reducing the activation of the brain centers for fear, anxiety, and anger.…”

Section: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Children and Adomentioning

confidence: 99%

Is ADHD a Stress-Related Disorder? Why Meditation Can Help

Grosswald¹

2013

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents

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“…Yoga breathing interventions have been shown to increase heart rate variability and improve sympathetic-vagal balance [12]. Yoga has also been shown to decrease cortisol level, increase GABAergic activity, and in turn improve mood and reduce anxiety in healthy patients [13][14][15][16][17]. In this way, the general wellbeing associated with yoga interventions has been theorized to improve physical functioning as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%