New study finds new connection between yoga and mood

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New study finds new connection between yoga and mood

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/bumc-nsf081910.php

Boston, MA—Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have

found that yoga may be superior to other forms of exercise in its positive

effect on mood and anxiety. The findings, which currently appear on-line at

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, is the first to demonstrate

an association between yoga postures, increased GABA levels and decreased

anxiety.

The researchers set out to contrast the brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels

of yoga subjects with those of participants who spent time walking. Low GABA

levels are associated with depression and other widespread anxiety disorders.

The researchers followed two randomized groups of healthy individuals over a

12-week long period. One group practiced yoga three times a week for one hour,

while the remaining subjects walked for the same period of time. Using magnetic

resonance spectroscopic (MRS) imaging, the participants' brains were scanned

before the study began. At week 12, the researchers compared the GABA levels of

both groups before and after their final 60-minute session.

Each subject was also asked to assess his or her psychological state at several

points throughout the study, and those who practiced yoga reported a more

significant decrease in anxiety and greater improvements in mood than those who

walked. " Over time, positive changes in these reports were associated with

climbing GABA levels, " said lead author Streeter, MD, an associate

professor of psychiatry and neurology at BUSM.

According to Streeter, this promising research warrants further study of the

relationship between yoga and mood, and suggests that the practice of yoga be

considered as a potential therapy for certain mental disorders.