ResearchCognitive Brain Research
Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness
Kjaer and colleaguesMarch 2002
Our summary in plain words
What This Study Is About
Researchers investigated whether a specific type of meditation (Yoga Nidra) changes the levels of dopamine—a chemical messenger in the brain associated with reward and motivation—and how these changes relate to the experience of mental imagery and the desire to act.
How They Studied It
The study involved eight highly experienced meditation teachers. Each participant underwent two brain scans using PET (positron emission tomography), which allows researchers to track chemical activity in the brain. During one scan, they listened to a standard speech as a control; during the other, they practiced Yoga Nidra meditation. The researchers also used EEG (electroencephalography) to monitor brain wave activity and asked participants to report their levels of relaxation, desire for action, and the vividness of their mental imagery (the ability to picture things in the mind).
What They Found
During meditation, the researchers observed a 65% increase in dopamine release in a part of the brain called the ventral striatum, which is involved in motivation and executive control. Participants reported a significant decrease in their "readiness for action"—a feeling of being a neutral observer rather than a doer—and a significant increase in the vividness of their sensory imagery. The increase in dopamine also correlated with an increase in theta brain waves, which are typical of deep meditative states.
What This Might Mean
These findings suggest that the "loss of will" or deep relaxation experienced during meditation is physically regulated by the brain's dopamine system. By increasing dopamine, the brain may be suppressing the systems that normally prepare us to move and act, allowing for a more intense focus on internal imagery. While the study was small and focused on experts, it provides rare evidence that conscious states like meditation can be measured at the level of brain chemistry.
One Interesting Detail
The researchers calculated that the 7.9% change in the PET scan tracer binding actually represented a massive 65% surge in natural dopamine levels during the meditative state.
This summary was written with AI and may contain errors. Check the original paper.
Authors
Troels W Kjaer
1 paper in the libraryCamilla Bertelsen
1 paper in the libraryPaola Piccini
1 paper in the libraryDavid Brooks
1 paper in the libraryJørgen Alving
1 paper in the libraryHans C Lou
1 paper in the library
Cite this paper
Kjaer, T. W., Bertelsen, C., Piccini, P., Brooks, D., Alving, J., & Lou, H. C. (2002). Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness. Cognitive Brain Research, 13(2), 255–259. doi:10.1016/s0926-6410(01)00106-9
Topics
Most-cited researchers
Recruit participants for your study
We can help you reach people across the imagery spectrum, from aphantasia to hyperphantasia.
Partner with usImage-Free Insights
A short note from our founder, Tom Ebeyer, every other week, plus occasional news and invitations to take part in studies. Change what you get from any email.