It seems like everyone is getting on the Yoga kick to reduce stress and tone up, but recent news has scientifically shown that Yoga can also bring relief for psychological conditions like depression and anxiety.
How? In your brain you have a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Practicing Yoga has been shown to raise GABA levels, which can regulate these disorders.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., used magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging to measure levels of GABA in the brains of 8 people doing yoga and 11 people reading. They found a 27% increase in GABA levels after one hour of yoga, while the readers showed no increase.
This study shows that there's a neurochemical response to the practice of yoga that's similar to the neurochemical responses seen when people are treated with antidepressants and other prescriptions meds. It's not to say that yoga will cure every one's symptoms, but this research is great news for people who are trying to manage their symptoms medication free.
Mulberry
Mexx
7 For All Mankind
Anyone have any recommendations for good Yoga DVDs to do at home?
1This is one of those studies where I wish they had used a group of people running as a control group. There is too big a difference between people who are being sedentary and people who are exercising to make me believe yoga itself has anything to do with it.
2Wow I'd love to try that out.
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