People suffering from depression may have another treatment option, according to findings from two (small) UCLA studies. During the research, participants were randomized to use Transcendental Meditation, a form of mantra meditation, or to follow a health-education program twice a day for 20 minutes. Booster Shots has more:
In one study, participants included 59 African American men and women ages 55 and older, and in the other, participants included 53 native Hawaiian men and women ages 55 and older. In both studies, the meditation groups had a far greater reduction in depression symptoms than the control groups. There were no substantial differences between genders.
Researchers speculate that meditation may trigger changes in the body's chemistry, affecting serotonin (a neurotransmitter that may be linked to depression) and fostering better reactions to environmental stress.
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