Summary of Research Studies on Sudarshan Kriya in Peer Reviewed Journals
More than a dozen published studies have documented significant relief from depression in individuals who learned and practiced Sudarshan Kriya and accompanying breathing techniques (sudarshan kriya). These studies have demonstrated a 67-73% success rate in relief from depression, regardless of the severity of depression [1-6].
These results are experienced rapidly, often within 3-4 weeks [1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8]. And unlike conventional treatments, there is uniform rapid relief from depression with sudarshan kriya practice, regardless of how long a person has been suffering from clinical depression or the degree to which brain ‘dysfunction’ (e.g. abnormal EEG patterns or hormone levels)[4, 5] is found in the depressed individual.
Further, sudarshan kriya has been found to significantly stem ‘the blues’; the non-clinical melancholy that mainstream people commonly experience.[9, 10]
Highlights of Research Findings:
Remission from depression is experienced rapidly.
• Substantial relief was experienced in three weeks.[5, 8]
• By one month, individuals[6] were considered to be in remission. [1, 2, 4-7]
• At three months, the individuals remained asymptomatic and stable, which demonstrates results persisted and cannot be considered a placebo effect.[3-6, 11] (Placebo effects in depression wane after 4 weeks).
Sudarhan Kriya produced highly beneficial biological effects on brain and hormone function.
• The P300 ERP EEG brainwave pattern and NREM brainwave pattern, which measure electrical brainwave activity and are abnormal in many depressed people, returned to the normal range by ninety days. [4, 5]
• Return to healthier hormone levels
• Plasma prolactin, a well being hormone which is believed to be a key factor in producing depression relief, increased significantly after the very first sudarshan kriya session.[3]
• Levels of plasma cortisol (the stress hormone) decreased significantly after three weeks.[2]
As Effective as Anti-Depressant Medication
Chairman, Department Psychiatry, at NIMHANS reported “Sudarshan Kriya has remarkable therapeutic effects”.
Dr. Janakiramaiah, M.D., Ph.D., D.P.H., medical researcher, and Chair of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (N.I.M.H.A.N.S.) of India has conducted several of these studies. He concluded that Sudarshan Kriya has “remarkable therapeutic effects”[3] and “is clinically feasible and effective. It has the potential to become a first-line treatment of dysthymic [chronic, mild depression] patients and possibly in mild and moderate forms of major depressive disorder."[1, 3]