Inaugural Endowed Lecture: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Evidence: Yoga, Ayurveda, and the Science of Opioid Withdrawal
Matcheri Keshavan, MD
Stanley Cobb Professor of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Harvard Medical School
Hemant Bhargav, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru and Adjunct Associate Professor at Massachusetts Mental Health Centre, Harvard Medical School
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2025
Time: 1pm – 2PM ET
Hybrid:
Online (Zoom) – REGISTER
In-Person – REGISTER
Lecture: 1-2PM, Bornstein Amphitheater, BWH, 45 Francis St. Boston, MA
On-site Reception: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Carrie Hall, BWH, 15 Francis St. Boston, MA
Cost: Free. CME credit available. Please email your name, degree title and institution if applicable to [email protected] during the event to claim credit.
Presentation Description: This presentation explores how ancient Indian traditions such as Yoga and Ayurveda anticipated many principles now validated by modern neuroscience and behavioral medicine. Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, yogic psychology, and emerging clinical research, we show how practices such as breath regulation (pranayama), mindfulness, balanced action, and detachment from craving can improve emotional resilience, self-regulation, and recovery from addiction. We review recent collaborative data demonstrating that yoga may shorten opioid withdrawal duration and improve heart rate variability, suggesting enhanced autonomic nervous system regulation. We also discuss parallels between yogic practices and modern psychotherapies including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, metacognitive therapy, Ayurveda and positive psychology. The talk argues that spirituality and science are complementary rather than opposing frameworks, and that rigorous study of contemplative traditions may yield scalable, low-cost interventions for substance use disorders and mental health care.
Speaker Bios:
Dr. Keshavan is closely involved in research in neurobiology of psychosis, especially as it pertains to first episode psychotic disorders. His research has resulted in around 1030 publications to date, including over 850 peer-reviewed papers, 4 books, and 150 other papers/ reviews/ book chapters.
Dr. Bhargav’s research centers on yoga-based interventions for psychiatric conditions, with a focus on substance use disorders, autonomic regulation, and neuroimaging biomarkers.