Can ancient breathing techniques rewire the depressed teen brain?
NCT ID NCT05388110
First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a breathing-based meditation practice called SKY can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents aged 16 to 24. Participants with mild-to-moderate depression will practice the breathing techniques for 8 weeks, while researchers track mood, stress hormones, heart rate, and brain scans. The goal is to see if this practice changes brain activity in ways that ease depression, offering a potential new treatment option for young people.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- SKY Breath Intervention (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga), a sequence of specific breathing techniques
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a drug-free, low-cost option to ease depression and anxiety in adolescents.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-stage study, so results may not apply broadly. The breathing practice may not work for everyone, and the brain changes are not yet proven.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
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