Sudarshan Kriya for Depression

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 (SKY). 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 SKY 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, SKY 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).

SKY 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 SKY session.[3]
• Levels of plasma cortisol (the stress hormone) decreased significantly after three weeks.[2]

As Effective as Anti-Depressant Medication

In a comparison study, SKY was statistically as effective as the conventional anti-depressant medication[1] . Yet, in contrast to the usual treatments for depression, SKY is natural and free of unwanted side effects. It is self-administered and self-empowering. It can greatly reduce doctor and hospital caseloads, thus making SKY cost effective and staff effective as well  [3].

Chairman, Department  Psychiatry, at NIMHANS reported “SKY 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]