Breathe easy, drink less? study tests slow breathing against binge urges

NCT ID NCT05369169

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether a simple slow-breathing exercise can help binge drinkers control their reactions to alcohol-related images and improve their ability to say no. One hundred binge drinkers completed tasks measuring brain activity and attention after either slow breathing or a simple counting task. The goal was to see if this breathing technique could interrupt automatic cravings and boost self-control.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: resonance breathing (slow, paced breathing exercise)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free technique to help people resist alcohol cravings and reduce binge drinking.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study measuring brain signals, not drinking behavior. The breathing exercise may not translate into real-world changes in alcohol use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for BINGE DRINKING are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse Alcohol Drinking Binge Drinking Drinking Behavior Respiratory Aspiration

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BINGE DRINKING

Contacts and locations

Locations

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.