NCT04366544

Effects of an 8-day Advanced Meditation, Samyama on Physical, Psychological and Spiritual Wellbeing ,and Associated Neural Mechanisms

Completed NA Last updated 3 October 2024

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Part A1: Survey in Mental Health Wellness 1 in 759 participants. Completed in 31 July 2018.

Timeline

19 January 2018

Primary endpoint
31 July 2018

31 July 2018

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Indiana University
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	non randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	none
Primary purpose	other
Enrollment	759
Start date	19 January 2018
Primary completion	31 July 2018
Estimated completion	31 July 2018
Sites	1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

• Part A1: Survey
• Part A2: Sample collection
• Part B:

Conditions studied

• Mental Health Wellness 1 — all drugs for Mental Health Wellness 1 →
• Happiness — all drugs for Happiness →
• Depression — all drugs for Depression →
• Consciousness, Level Altered — all drugs for Consciousness, Level Altered →

Sponsor

Indiana University

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Mental Health Wellness 1 or Happiness. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Samyama program on blood levels of selected neurotransmitters before and after the program, and associate with corresponding effects on mind/psyche before and after the program in adult participants.

Hypothesis:

1. The state of higher consciousness and ecstasy resulting from Samyama result from increased levels of Anandamide, an endocannabinoid, and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
2. The 60-day preparatory phase that includes dietary regulation and yogic practices will reduce the gut inflammation and thereby will improve the gut microbiome.

Publications & conference data

5 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat.
   Chandran V, Bermúdez ML, Koka M, Chandran B, et al · · 2021 · cited 35× · PMID 34907015 · DOI 10.1073/pnas.2110455118
2. Advanced Meditation Alters Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity Correlating With Improved Mindfulness.
   Vishnubhotla RV, Radhakrishnan R, Kveraga K, Deardorff R, et al · · 2021 · cited 23× · PMID 34867626 · DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.745344
3. Isha yoga practices, vegan diet, and participation in Samyama meditation retreat: impact on the gut microbiome & metabolome - a non-randomized trial.
   Raman M, Vishnubhotla R, Ramay HR, Gonçalves MCB, et al · · 2023 · cited 14× · PMID 37020274 · DOI 10.1186/s12906-023-03935-8
4. Advanced Meditation and Vegan Diet Increased Acylglycines and Reduced Lipids Associated with Improved Health: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.
   Vishnubhotla RV, Wood PL, Verma A, Cebak JE, et al · · 2022 · cited 4× · PMID 35532984 · DOI 10.1089/jicm.2022.0480
5. Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat
   Chandran V, Bermúdez M, Koka M, Chandran B, et al · · 2021 · DOI 10.1101/2021.05.18.444668