Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Within-subject controlled experimental neuroimaging study (non-randomized repeated measures)
PubMed 11958969 · doi:10.1016/s0926-6410(01)00106-9
What was done
Participants underwent two 11C-raclopride positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure endogenous dopamine release via competition at D2 receptors: one control scan while attending to speech with eyes closed, and one during active Yoga Nidra meditation. Electroencephalography (EEG) theta activity and subjective experiential reports were also measured.
What was found
During meditation, 11C-raclopride binding in the ventral striatum decreased by 7.9%, which the authors calculate corresponds to a 65% increase in endogenous dopamine release. The reduction in raclopride binding significantly correlated with increased EEG theta activity. Participants reported decreased desire for action and heightened sensory imagery, while gratification and relaxation depth did not differ between conditions.
Why it matters
This study provides early in vivo neurochemical evidence that meditation-induced alterations in consciousness involve endogenous dopamine release in the ventral striatum, suggesting synaptic regulation of cortico-striatal circuits during reduced executive control.
Limits
The abstract does not report the sample size, participant demographics, or prior meditation experience. Order randomization was not specified, and the analysis was restricted to dopamine D2 binding without evaluating other neurotransmitter systems.
Cited by
- partial Studies published out of Scandinavia show that Yoga Nidra-type practices can replenish dopamine stores in the basal ganglia.