Neuroplasticity and the Breath
Ibnu Noufal Kambitta Valappil, Akshay Korol, Gavoutamane Vasanthi, Masilamani Elayaraja, Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Improving Mental Well-Being at the Intersection of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga May 9, 2026 DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3373-4187-3.ch003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Pranayama |
| Topics | Neuroplasticity |
| Key findings | Pranayama improves parasympathetic activation, heart rate variability, cortisol modulation, and emotional-cognitive regulation, and is positioned as an accessible, non-invasive neuromodulatory tool. |
Abstract
Pranayama, the Yogic discipline of regulated breathing, has evolved from a spiritual practice into a scientifically recognized method for supporting mental and neurological health. This chapter examines its neuroplastic potential by outlining effects on major brain regions and networks, while summarizing key Pranayama techniques and their physiological signatures. Evidence indicates improvements in parasympathetic activation, heart rate variability, cortisol modulation, and emotional–cognitive regulation. Integrating recent advances in contemplative and clinical neuroscience, the chapter highlights technology-supported breathwork, trauma-responsive approaches informed by polyvagal theory, and individualized applications based on autonomic profiling. It also clarifies distinctions between established neural biomarkers and emerging theoretical claims of structural change. Overall, the chapter positions Pranayama as an accessible, non-invasive, and increasingly personalized neuromodulatory tool within the broader “Neuro-Yogic Paradigm.”
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on neuroplasticity, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A neurotrophic hypothesis of depression: role of synaptogenesis in the actions of NMDA receptor antagonists | 2012 | Review | |
| Towards an understanding of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity. Review of preclinical and clinical studies | 2023 | Review | |
| Buddha's Brain: Neuroplasticity and Meditation [In the Spotlight] | 2008 | Review | |
| Neuroplasticity as a convergent mechanism of ketamine and classical psychedelics | 2021 | Review | |
| Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms | 2020 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 36
- Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine August 1, 2005
- Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity Frontiers in Human Neuroscience October 9, 2018
- Yoga Therapy and Polyvagal Theory: The Convergence of Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Neuroscience for Self-Regulation and Resilience Frontiers in Human Neuroscience February 27, 2018
- Resting-state fMRI functional connectivity and mindfulness in clinical and non-clinical contexts: A review and synthesis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews February 22, 2022
- Effects of yogic breath regulation: A narrative review of scientific evidence Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine February 2, 2018
and 31 more in the library