Breathwork for Chronic Stress and Mental Health: Does Choosing a Specific Technique Matter?
Adam Siebieszuk, Adam Filip Płoński, Marcin Baranowski
Medical Sciences August 13, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/medsci13030127 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Breathwork |
| Keywords | Mental health Pace Clinical psychology Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Most breathwork techniques share core neurophysiological mechanisms that benefit well-being, and accumulating evidence suggests breathwork may serve as both a preventive and adjunctive therapy for chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. |
Abstract
Modern society faces a growing prevalence of mental disorders, with stress emerging as a critical factor affecting mental well-being. In recent years, breathwork has gained public and scientific recognition as a promising approach for enhancing psychological health. Despite the rapid growth in research, the field remains fragmented due to the diversity of breathing techniques. Moreover, recent findings have challenged several foundational concepts traditionally believed to underlie the therapeutic effects of breathwork. This review offers a comprehensive overview and comparison of the most widely practiced breathing techniques, with a focus on addressing key theoretical issues. We examine the primary psychophysiological pathways and mechanisms of breathwork, highlighting its influence on the nervous system as central to its effectiveness. We critically evaluate the role of breathing variables, including pace, ratio, breathing route, attention, and the use of biofeedback, in promoting the long-term neurobiological changes that have been associated with improved mental health. We argue that most breathwork techniques share core neurophysiological mechanisms that benefit well-being, regardless of the theoretical differences between specific techniques. Accumulating evidence suggests breathwork may serve as both a preventive and adjunctive therapy for chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, given its potential to target key risk factors and produce clinically relevant outcomes. Contemporary breathwork research, however, is limited by inconsistent study quality and methodological heterogeneity. By synthesizing current evidence and identifying critical knowledge gaps, this review aims to guide future research and advance understanding of breathwork's therapeutic potential.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on breathwork, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coupling of respiration and attention via the locus coeruleus: Effects of meditation and pranayama | 2018 | Review with original findings | |
| High ventilation breathwork practices: An overview of their effects, mechanisms, and considerations for clinical applications. | 2023 | Review | |
| Breathwork in body psychotherapy: Towards a more unified theory and practice | 2011 | Review | |
| A Practitioner’s Guide to Breathwork in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 2020 | Review | |
| Bhramari Pranayama as an aid to meditation: A review of classical yoga texts | 2020 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Breathing Patterns as a Tool for Autonomic Nervous System Modulation Academic Visions August 30, 2026
- Mindful Breath: A Comprehensive Literature Review and Comparative Analysis of Breathwork Techniques September 23, 2026
- Synergy and Synchrony Between Beta-Theta Neurofeedback, Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback and Breathwork Via Continuous Feedback in Improving Reaction Time. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback July 15, 2026
Cites 31
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity Frontiers in Human Neuroscience October 9, 2018
- Physical Activity, Mindfulness Meditation, or Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Stress Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback June 25, 2015
- A mind you can count on: validating breath counting as a behavioral measure of mindfulness Frontiers in Psychology October 24, 2014
- Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal Cell Reports Medicine 2023
and 26 more in the library