Scientific Research on Maharishi Ayurveda

neurophysiology > neurophysiology study 5

Neurophysiology and Intelligence Study #5

Title
Effect of Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK-5) on Brain Opioid Receptors and Neuropeptides

Publication
The Journal of Research and Education in Indian Medicine, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 1-8, 1991.

Authors
Hari M. Sharma,* Silva Hanissian,** Anil K. Rattan,** Stephen L. Stern,† and Gopi A. Tejwani.**

Conducted at
*Department of Pathology,
**Department of Pharmacology, and †Division of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210

Summary
MAK-5 was tested for its effects on opioid receptors in the brain, and on neuropeptides.

In vitro tests using animal brain tissue showed that MAK-5 inhibited the binding of mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors. Opioid peptides binding to these receptors are known to trigger changes in analgesia, behavior, appetite, endocrine and autonomic functions, and modulation of the immune system.

Levels of Substance P, a neurotransmitter involved in pain pathways and pulmonary and gastrointestinal inflammation, showed a significant decrease in human subjects using MAK-5 for three months. Levels decreased from 255.8 pg/ml to 36.0 pg/ml over the 3-month period (p<0.01).

This suggests MAK-5 may be helpful in relieving pain, as well as pulmonary and gastrointestinal inflammation.