The Influence of Concentration/Meditation on Autonomic Nervous System Activity and the Innate Immune Response: A Case Study

被引:38
作者
Kox, Matthijs [1 ]
Stoffels, Monique [2 ,6 ]
Smeekens, Sanne P. [2 ,6 ]
van Alfen, Nens [3 ]
Gomes, Marc [4 ]
Eijsvogels, Thijs M. H. [5 ]
Hopman, Maria T. E. [5 ]
van der Hoeven, Johannes G. [1 ]
Netea, Mihai G. [2 ,6 ]
Pickkers, Peter [1 ]
机构
[1] Radboud Univ Nijmegen, Med Ctr, Dept Intens Care Med, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
[2] Radboud Univ Nijmegen, Med Ctr, Dept Med, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
[3] Radboud Univ Nijmegen, Med Ctr, Dept Neurol, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
[4] Radboud Univ Nijmegen, Med Ctr, Dept Cardiol, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
[5] Radboud Univ Nijmegen, Med Ctr, Dept Physiol, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
[6] N4i, Nijmegen, Netherlands
来源
PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE | 2012年 / 74卷 / 05期
关键词
concentration; meditation; innate immune response; cytokines; autonomic nervous system; cortisol; HEART-RATE-VARIABILITY; NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA; HUMAN ENDOTOXEMIA; PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS; INFLAMMATION; MEDITATION; HYPERVENTILATION; REDUCTION; INCREASES; MONOCYTES;
D O I
10.1097/PSY.0b013e3182583c6d
中图分类号
R749 [精神病学];
学科分类号
100205 ;
摘要
Objective: In this case study, we describe the effects of a particular individual's concentration/meditation technique on autonomic nervous system activity and the innate immune response. The study participant holds several world records with regard to tolerating extreme cold and claims that he can influence his autonomic nervous system and thereby his innate immune response. Methods: The individual's ex vivo cytokine response (stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) was determined before and after an 80-minute full-body ice immersion during which the individual practiced his concentration/meditation technique. Furthermore, the individual's in vivo innate immune response was studied while practicing his concentration/mediation technique during human endotoxemia (intravenous administration of 2 ng/kg LPS). The results from the endotoxemia experiment were compared with a historical cohort of 112 individuals who participated in endotoxemia experiments in our institution. Results: The ex vivo proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine response was greatly attenuated by concentration/meditation during ice immersion, accompanied by high levels of cortisol. In the endotoxemia experiment, concentration/meditation resulted in increased circulating concentrations of catecholamines, and plasma cortisol concentrations were higher than in any of the previously studied participants. The individual's in vivo cytokine response and clinical symptoms after LPS administration were remarkably low compared with previously studied participants. Conclusions: The concentration/meditation technique used by this particular individual seems to evoke a controled stress response. This response is characterized by sympathetic nervous system activation and subsequent catecholamine/cortisol release, which seems to attenuate the innate immune response.
引用
收藏
页码:489 / 494
页数:6
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