Effects of Hypoxic Breathwork
Official title: Impacts of Rhythmic and Hypoxic Breathwork on EEG, Mood, Sleep, and Physiology
Run by University of California, San Diego · NCT06317259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how a week of breathing exercises combined with music and positive messages can affect people's health, stress, and sleep.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (La Jolla, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 17, 2024 |
| Main results expected | October 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06317259 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18-45 who can commit to the breathwork regimen.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of regular breathwork practice or those on psychoactive medications may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This project investigates the physiological and biochemical changes that occur during a week-long practice of hypoxic breathwork combined with music and affirmative messaging. Participants will engage in daily sessions of slow-paced breathing and breath-holding, with high-density EEG recordings taken at the beginning and end of the week to assess brain activity. Additionally, various biological samples and questionnaires will be collected to evaluate the impact of breathwork on overall health, stress levels, and sleep quality. The study aims to explore how breathwork can influence bodily functions and mental well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance stress management and improve sleep quality for participants.
How similar studies have gone: While breathwork has been explored in various contexts, this specific combination of hypoxic techniques and EEG analysis is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Persons, aged 18-45 * Availability for the duration of the study * In good general health as revealed by self-report * Stated willingness and capability to adhere to the breathwork regimen * Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations (see section 5.3) throughout study duration * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current or past regular breathwork practice 2. Current use of psychoactive medications (e.g., anti-depressants or anxiolytics) 3. Pregnancy 4. Bedtime past 11:30pm or regularly getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night. 5. Feverish illness within 10 days 6. Regular smoker or tobacco user ( \> 1 cigarette, gum or pouch per month) 7. Presence of blood pressure above 140 systolic and/or 90 diastolic, seizure disorder, asthma, or serious cardiac fibrillation disorders.
Where it's running
-
UC San Diego
La Jolla, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Julie Onton, PhD
- Email: julieonton@hotmail.com
- Phone: 8583362704
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.