ArticleEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2020
Inner Engineering Practices and Advanced 4-day Isha Yoga Retreat Are Associated with Cannabimimetic Effects with Increased Endocannabinoids and Short-Term and Sustained Improvement in Mental Health: A Prospective Observational Study of Meditators.
Article in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 35 citations in OpenAlex.
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Exercise on the Endocannabinoid System.Cannabis and cannabinoid research · 2022Pooled it
- Contributions of yoga and aerobic exercise to acute changes in state affect, circulating BDNF and eCB concentrations, and memory.Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2026Trial
- Isha yoga practices, vegan diet, and participation in Samyama meditation retreat: impact on the gut microbiome & metabolome - a non-randomized trial.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2023Trial
- Perceived Stress, Resilience, and Wellbeing in Seasoned Isha Yoga Practitioners Compared to Matched Controls During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Frontiers in public health · 2022Trial
- Non-duality in brain and experience of advanced meditators-key role for intrinsic neural timescales.Communications biology · 2026Article
- From neurobiological regulation to socio-ecological remodeling: a mini review of yoga interventions for adolescent smartphone addiction.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Review
- Preksha Dhyana meditation modulates the serum metabolome in healthy and meditation-naïve participants.Frontiers in molecular biosciences · 2026Article
- Illuminating consciousness.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Review
- Article
- Anandamide and WIN 55212-2 Afford Protection in Rat Brain Mitochondria in a Toxic Model Induced by 3-Nitropropionic Acid: an In Vitro Study.Molecular neurobiology · 2024Article
- Practice and proficiency of Isha Yoga for better mental health outcomes: insights from a COVID-19 survey.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
- Endocannabinoid System: Chemical Characteristics and Biological Activity.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- The altered state of consciousness induced by Δ9-THC.Consciousness and cognition · 2022Article
- The Effect of Inner Engineering Online (IEO) Program on Reducing Stress for Information Technology Professionals: A Randomized Control Study.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2022Article
- Online guided meditation training (Isha Kriya) improves self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression within 2 weeks of practice-An observational study.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Article
- Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2021Article
- Cognition and Pain: A Review.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Review
- Quality of Life and a Surveillant Endocannabinoid System.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2021Review
- Advanced Meditation Alters Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity Correlating With Improved Mindfulness.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Article
- Can Yogic Breathing Techniques LikeFrontiers in psychology · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
13 authors at 9 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAnxiety and depression are common in the modern world, and there is growing demand for alternative therapies such as meditation. Meditation can decrease perceived stress and increase general well-being, although the physiological mechanism is not well-characterized. Endocannabinoids (eCBs), lipid mediators associated with enhanced mood and reduced anxiety/depression, have not been previously studied as biomarkers of meditation effects. Our aim was to assess biomarkers (eCBs and brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]) and psychological parameters after a meditation retreat.
methodsThis was an observational pilot study of adults before and after the 4-day Isha Yoga Bhava Spandana Program retreat. Participants completed online surveys (before and after retreat, and 1 month later) to assess anxiety, depression, focus, well-being, and happiness through validated psychological scales. Voluntary blood sampling for biomarker studies was done before and within a day after the retreat. The biomarkers anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), 1-arachidonoylglycerol (1-AG), docosatetraenoylethanolamide (DEA), oleoylethanolamide (OLA), and BDNF were evaluated. Primary outcomes were changes in psychological scales, as well as changes in eCBs and BDNF.
resultsDepression and anxiety scores decreased while focus, happiness, and positive well-being scores increased immediately after retreat from their baseline values (
conclusionsA short meditation experience improved focus, happiness, and positive well-being and reduced depression and anxiety in participants for at least 1 month. Participants had increased blood eCBs and BDNF, suggesting a role for these biomarkers in the underlying mechanism of meditation. Meditation is a simple, organic, and effective way to improve well-being and reduce depression and anxiety.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.