Effects of Meditation on Dopamine, Glutamate and GABA Among Long-term Skilled Meditators in Sri Lanka

Objectives Studying the effects of meditation on neurotransmitters will shed light on the neurobiological basis and correlated neuroplastic changes. The current study aimed at comparing dopamine, glutamate, and GABA levels in blood in a group of long-term-skilled meditators with a one-on-one matched control group to explore the association of Buddhist meditation practices on these three neurotransmitters in one cohort. Methods A comparative analytical laboratory-based study was conducted on long-term skilled meditators (n = 30) and a non-meditator control (n = 30) group. Venous blood was collected from each participant to determine the neurotransmitter concentration. The neurotransmitter levels in blood were obtained using enzymatic immunoassay (ELISA). Results There was no significant difference in socio demographic factors and habits between the long-term-skilled meditators (LTSM, age = 42.23 years ± 8.99) compared to controls (age = 42.2 ± 9.04). GABA levels were significantly higher in LTSM’s with a mean concentration of 67.92 ng/ml (± 2.39 SE) compared to 61.21 ng/ml (± 1.37 SE) in the controls (p = 0.006). Similarly, the dopamine levels were also significantly higher in the LTSM compared to controls (LTSM, 134.8 ng/ml ± 18.2; Controls 94.7 ng/ml ± 15.5, p = 0.019). Glutamate levels were significantly lower in LTSM’s compared to controls. (LTSM, 6.0 ug/ml ± 0.49; controls, 7.3 ug/ml ± 0.54, p = 0.008). Conclusions Meditation alters the levels of neurotransmitters in blood. Further research is needed to determine the potential use of meditation as a therapeutic tool to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders which involve the imbalance of key neurotransmitters.