Editorial

Depression can be due to various reasons- They need not always be due to physical reasons. Often the mind is affected due to various stresses and the morale comes down. This further leads to defeatism and negative thinking.

If the mind is affected for a long time, the health is also affected in the viscious circle.

The normal method to combat depression is by taking antidepressants regularly.

It has now been studied by taking samples of twins that regular use of antidepressants increases the wall-thickness of the arteries. The inner lining of the carotid artery which carries oxygen to the brain is definitely increased in thickness by these medicines. The association between intake of antidepressants and the increase in the intima-media thickness (IMT) has been well established.

This leads to the increase in the risk of heart attack .and strokes. Finally, starting from the treatment of depression, one is led to more serious heart problems. From the frying pan to the fire?

The solution given to these problems is more surprising. Yoga and meditation is the answer. This remedy for calming the mind and keeping the body in control has been given by some group of scientists from U.S.A., in their study of the effect of yoga and arterial fibrillation.

They feel that this method will eliminate the invasive procedures and medicines with undesirable side effects.

Constant discussing of the advantages of meditation and yoga in many of our television channels are at the moment listened to by the converted- those who believe in the advantages of meditation and yoga. But coming in the new packages of Western Universities, will find more takers. This is a good service that they are doing to our youngsters.

It is high time that we become real scientists-judging the merit of discoveries in science or the art of living with an open mind.