MRI Brain Scans Show Antidepressant Effects of Yoga; Science says yoga's effects are more than an illusion

We've all heard about the near-magical benefits of yoga on mood and well being. But does it really work? The best way to judge this is to try it out and see for yourself. But with limited time and resources, many people would like to see some hard-evidence from a credible source before rolling up like a pretzel in a darkened room filled with strangers. Well scientists from a major medical school have just reported the results of a long-term study of yoga using the latest brain scanning technology and the results are more than encouraging.

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have found that practicing yoga may elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. The findings, which appear in the May issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, suggest that the practice of yoga be explored as a possible treatment for depression and anxiety, disorders associated with low GABA levels.

According to the researchers, yoga has shown promise in improving symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and epilepsy. "Our findings clearly demonstrate that in experienced yoga practitioners, brain GABA levels increase after a session of yoga," said lead author Chris Streeter, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at BUSM and a research associate at McLean Hospital.

It should be noted that anti-depressant drugs work in part by boosting a patient's GABA levels so the fact that yoga might be doing this without pharmaceuticals is impressive. Furthermore, the side-effects of Yoga are more flexibility, a better back, better posture, etc.

Dr. Chris Streeter, an assistant professor of neurology and psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and the study's lead author says:

"The study shows that there's a neurochemical response to the practice of yoga that's similar to neurochemical responses we see when people are treated with antidepressants,"

Due to a few nagging running injuries, I decided to take up yoga three weeks ago. I've learned a number of things. One, I'm far less flexible than I would like to be. Two, I don't feel nearly as silly or self-conscious in the yoga class as I thought, and most of the people in the class are in the age range of 35-55. Three, while it has yet to help my foot (the reason I started taking the classes), my shoulder and especially back feel much better. Four, I'm more relaxed and the hour that the class takes generally flies by. I think I'm going to stick with it awhile.

Of course yoga is not for everyone. I myself have tried it twice in the past 10 years but didn't go back after the first class in either instance. But this time I've found the right class with the right instructor and right fellow students and have the right motivation to stick with it.

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