Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
This study will examine whether meditation and yogic breathing can alter brain fluid movement and waste clearance in healthy adults. It will also evaluate the GLYMPHOMETER, a new external forehead-worn device designed to objectively measure changes in brain fluid movement and exchange during meditation.
The glymphatic system is a brain waste-clearance pathway that facilitates the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid and is thought to play an important role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that respiration, autonomic activity, and changes in cerebral blood flow may influence CSF dynamics and related neurofluid processes. However, the effects of voluntary breathing practices and meditation on these physiological mechanisms in humans remain incompletely understood. The SPANDHA study will investigate whether structured yogic breathing (Pranayam…
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults, 25-60 years old. * Novice or Advanced as defined above. * Fluent in English. * Able to travel to BIDMC site for two days approximately 3-7 days apart. Exclusion Criteria: * History of neurological and/or neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, mild cognitive impairment, dementia) * History of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses * History of major psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) * Currently diagnosed mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression) * Current use of psychoactive medications, including medica…
Nadi Shuddhi is a structured yogic breathing practice involving slow, alternating respiration through the left and right nostrils in a prescribed sequence.
Shoonya meditation is a structured contemplative practice characterized by conscious non-doing, in which participants maintain a relaxed, alert state while minimizing deliberate attentional selection, cognitive elaboration, and engagement with internal or external stimuli.
Arctuva estimate
Actual pay is set by the research site.
Verify or correct the compensation shown for this listing.