Brain Res Cogn Brain Res. 2002 Apr;13(2):255-9.

Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness.

Apparently results in a first ever in vivo look at synaptic transmission and levels of consciousness shows some serious results with dopamine. It would be wonderful if this could help. I plan on adding one of the Kabat-Zinn meditation guides on my Nook right after this post. This is something we could all try. If anyone want to do a little white research project; PM me and we can come up with some guidelines.

Results in 65% increase in endogenous dopamine release. All participants reported a decreased desire for action during meditation, along with heightened sensory imagery... It is suggested that being in the conscious state of meditation causes a suppression of cortico-striatal glutamatergic transmission. To our knowledge this is the first time in vivo evidence has been provided for regulation of conscious states at a synaptic level.