Practising yoga may boost brain chemical levels, prevent depression: Study
Team Udayavani, Feb 4, 2020, 3:35 PM IST
Boston: Practising yoga may increase levels of a messenger molecule involved in regulating brain activity, and completing one yoga class per week may maintain elevated levels of this chemical, according to a study which may lead to better ways of mitigating depressive symptoms.
The study, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, assessed a group of 30 clinically depressed patients who were randomly divided into two groups.
The only difference between the groups, the scientists said, was the number of 90 minute yoga sessions, and home sessions in which each group participated.
Over three months, they said, the high-dose group (HDG) was assigned three sessions per week, while the low-intensity group (LIG) engaged in two sessions per week.
The participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brain before the first and after the last yoga session, and also completed a clinical depression scale to monitor their symptoms, the study noted.
Results of the study revealed that both groups had improvement in depressive symptoms after three months.
Their MRI analysis showed that levels of the brain messenger molecule GABA were elevated after three months of yoga, as compared to the levels before starting yoga.
According to the study, this increase was found for approximately four days after the last yoga session, but the rise was no longer observed after about eight days.
“The study suggests that the associated increase in GABA levels after a yoga session are ‘time-limited’ similar to that of pharmacologic treatments such that completing one session of yoga per week may maintain elevated levels of GABA,” explained study co-author Chris Streeter from Boston University.
Providing evidence-based data may help in getting more individuals to try yoga as a strategy for improving their health and well-being, the scientists said.
“A unique strength of this study is that pairing the yoga intervention with brain imaging provides important neurobiological insight as to the ‘how’ yoga may help to alleviate depression and anxiety,” said study co-author Marisa Silveri from Harvard University.
In this study, we found that an important neurochemical, GABA, which is related to mood, anxiety, and sleep, is significantly increased in association with a yoga intervention,” Silveri said.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
World Malaria Day: WHO calls for equitable health access
What role does genetics play in breast cancer? How can genetic testing help with early breast cancer diagnosis?
Father’s diet can affect anxiety in sons, metabolism in daughters: Study in mice finds
Low back pain, depression, headaches main causes of poor health: Study
Surgical options for Parkinson’s disease
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Sibal criticizes EC for not issuing notice to Modi, terms it ‘powerless entity’
Yuvraj identifies Surya, Bumrah as key to India’s prospects in T20 World Cup
SC verdict on EVM a vindication of our faith in institutions: PM Modi in Bihar rallies
Karnataka: 50% Voter Turnout Achieved in 14 Lok Sabha Constituencies
Shah: UCC Implementation in MP Fulfills BJP Pledge, Modi’s Commitment