Although yoga is considered as a science for spiritual growth of mankind, many studies have shown that various streams of yoga render many physical as well as psychological benefits to the practitioners. Studies based on Yogic intervention (YI) on Major Depressive disorders (MDD) have shown extremely positive outcomes in recent times (1,2). The antidepressant medications which target the monoamine framework were unable to answer to the neurobiological mechanisms of MDD. Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid neurotransmitter is known to be an important factor in the pathophysiology of mood disorders (3). In this US based study the design was to track the changes in GABA in MDD through a Yogic Intervention based on Iyenger yoga tradition. The study reports that YI does influence the change in GABA level through the stimulation of parasympathetic response.

Yoga

Thalamic Gamma