Study from Thailand shows that five Buddhist precepts may decrease risk of depression.

A statistical study by psychiatry professor Dr. Nahathai Wongpakaran of Chiang Mai University and co-researchers involved an online survey of 644 individuals from Thailand. It evaluated the link between depression and the five Buddhist precepts, and found that people with high levels of neuroticism and stress may have a reduced risk of experiencing depression by observing these moral guidelines. These are an integral part of the Buddhist religion, and it is recommended that the practitioner refrains from killing, lying, stealing, sexual misconduct and intoxicants. They can also be followed by those who are not Buddhist.