The influence of concentration/meditation on autonomic nervous system activity and the innate immune response: a case study.
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 controlled stress response. This response is characterized by sympathetic nervous system activation and subsequent catecholamine/cortisol release, which seems to attenuate the innate immune response.
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. m.kox@ic.umcn.nl
Matthijs
M
Kox
Monique
M
Stoffels
Sanne P
SP
Smeekens
Nens
N
van Alfen
Marc
M
Gomes
Thijs M H
TM
Eijsvogels
Maria T E
MT
Hopman
Johannes G
JG
van der Hoeven
Mihai G
MG
Netea
Peter
P
Pickkers
D001288:Attention; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004569:Electroencephalography; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000276:immunology*; D055873:Extreme Cold; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007053:Ice / Q000009:adverse effects; D007101:Immersion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology
D002395:Catecholamines; D016207:Cytokines; D007053:Ice; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D006854:Hydrocortisone