Scientific research & studies on Yoga, meditation, and pranayama
Yoga Practice Linked to Increased Brain GABA and Reduced Depressive Symptoms
This study investigated if a 12-week yoga intervention could improve depressive symptoms in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and increase brain levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA. Participants were randomized to either a high-dose (three sessions/week) or low-dose (two sessions/week) Iyengar yoga and coherent breathing program.
Depressive symptoms, measured by the BDI-II, significantly improved in both groups after 12 weeks. Thalamic GABA levels, assessed via MRS, showed a significant increase in the low-dose group and a trend in the total cohort when comparing levels before the intervention and after the final yoga session. Further analysis revealed that GABA levels measured after the 12 weeks but before the final session were increased if the last yoga practice was recent (within ~4 days), but not if it was approximately 8 days prior.
These findings tentatively support that yoga may improve mood by enhancing GABAergic activity. The time-sensitive nature of the observed GABA increase suggests that regular yoga practice, potentially at least weekly, may be necessary to maintain elevated GABA levels and associated mood benefits.