A 2016 controlled trial looked at people with major depressive disorder who were already on antidepressant medication. One group added Sudarshan Kriya breathing practices to their treatment. The other continued with medication alone. Over the study period, the breathing group showed significant decreases in both depression and anxiety scores. The medication-only group showed no further changes.
This matters because it addresses a common clinical scenario: partial response to medication. Many people on antidepressants experience some improvement but continue to have residual symptoms. The study suggests breath-based yoga may help close that gap.
The mechanism likely involves direct stimulation of the vagus nerve through controlled breathing patterns, which modulates the stress response and influences neurotransmitter activity. It is a physiological intervention, not simply a relaxation technique.
Source: Yoga Research: Mental Health & Trauma on ashtanga.tech. Original research.