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BreathworkEvidence & Dosage

Box breathing, 4-7-8, Wim Hof, pranayama — autonomic regulation.

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
333
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
2
Highly cited
4
Publication years
1989–2026

Breathwork in the context of Mental

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Top studies on Breathwork

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Decreased CO<sub>2</sub> saturation during circular breathwork supports emergence of altered states of consciousness.

    202543 influential citations

    Altered states of consciousness (ASCs), induced e.g. during psychedelic-assisted therapy, show potential to treat prevalent mental health disorders like depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, access to such treatments is…

  2. Effect of coherent breathing on mental health and wellbeing: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

    Scientific reports2023n=40035 influential citations

    Breathwork may offer simple tools for stress resilience. We conducted the largest parallel randomised-controlled trial on breathwork to date (NCT05676658) wherein 400 participants on the research platform Prolific were randomised, in…

  3. Lightening the mind with audiovisual stimulation as an accessible alternative to breath-focused meditation for mood and cognitive enhancement.

    Sci Rep2024n=262RCT20 influential citations

    In this randomized, controlled, and double-blind experiment with a relatively large sample (n = 262), a novel technique of audiovisual stimulation (AVS) was demonstrated to substantially improve self-reported mood states by reducing…

  4. The International Performance, Resilience and Efficiency Program Protocol for the Application of HRV Biofeedback in Applied Law Enforcement Settings.

    202420 influential citations

    Law enforcement officers are routinely exposed to high-threat encounters that elicit physiological stress responses that impact health, performance, and safety. Therefore, self-regulation using evidence-based approaches is a priority in…

  5. Unlocking deep relaxation: the power of rhythmic breathing on brain rhythms.

    Npj mental health research2025n=43E1 influential citations

    The pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues across the world. The limited availability of mental health professionals is preventing many from seeking help, which highlights the need for easily available mental health care routines…

  6. Contrasting cognitive, behavioral, and physiological responses to breathwork vs. naturalistic stimuli in reflective chamber and VR headset environments.

    2025n=1261 influential citations

    The MindGym, a novel immersive technology utilizing a reflective chamber environment, was developed to create standardized experiential content, including anxiolytic experiences. This study examined whether therapeutic experiences…

  7. Combined cold-water immersion and breathwork may be associated with improved mental health and reduction in the duration of upper respiratory tract infection - a case-control study.

    International journal of circumpolar health2024E

    A polar plunge is a term referring to an ice-cold water immersion (CWI), usually in the winter period. It is also a part of a specific training program (STP) which currently gains popularity worldwide and was proven to display…

  8. Breathe-well grounded theory: Self-discovery and personal growth in knowledge workers through well-being practices.

    2026

    Knowledge workers often face high stress due to deadlines and overcommitment, which negatively impacts their well-being. They have specific characteristics and challenges, such as a tendency to work in isolation or in intense team…

  9. Effectiveness of Structured Breathwork Interventions on Heart Rate Variability and Heart Rate Recovery Following Maximal Exertion in Tactical Athletes.

    2026

    <h4>Purpose</h4>This study investigated the acute effects of two structured breathwork methods on autonomic recovery following maximal exertion.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>A randomized control trial was conducted with 62 cadets (44…

  10. A semi-randomised control trial assessing psychophysiological effects of breathwork and cold immersion.

    2025n=556

    The paradoxical nature of stress lies in its ability to both enhance and hinder psychological, physiological, and cognitive functioning. While chronic stress impairs functioning, acute stress can enhance resilience, cognition, and…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Audiovisual stimulation (AVS), with and without binaural beats (Approximately 5 minutes exposure)
Are there safety considerations for Breathwork?
• Not reported in the abstract. • Participants were told hyperventilation may cause momentary loss of consciousness. • Breathwork was advised only in a safe environment, not driving or near water. • Exclusion criteria included heart disease, hypertension, respiratory difficulties, glaucoma, seizures, diabetes, pregnancy, psychosis, and suicidality.

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