How does yoga help with opioid withdrawal symptoms according to NIMHANS?

Yoga helps reduce withdrawal symptom resolution time by nearly half and improves objective markers of stress like heart rate variability.

What kind of yoga exercises were used in the NIMHANS study?

The module included relaxation postures, slow breathing with prolonged exhalation, and guided relaxation.

Is yoga a recognized treatment for opioid use disorder?

This study is among the first controlled trials evaluating yoga as an adjunct therapy for opioid use disorder, showing promising results.

Home / Health / Yoga Halves Opioid Withdrawal Time

Yoga Halves Opioid Withdrawal Time

8 Jan

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Summary

Yoga speeds opioid withdrawal symptom resolution by almost half.
Patients using yoga reported better sleep and lower anxiety.
Heart rate variability improved with yoga intervention.
Tapentadol misuse is rising among young adults in Karnataka.

Researchers from NIMHANS have discovered that a brief yoga intervention significantly accelerates recovery for individuals with opioid use disorder. The study revealed that adding a 45-minute yoga module to standard medical management reduced withdrawal symptom resolution time by nearly half, from nine days to five days. Participants in the yoga group experienced improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and less pain.

The yoga-based approach, which includes relaxation postures and breathing exercises, was found to enhance autonomic stress recovery, as indicated by improved heart rate variability. This intervention is designed to be practical, even during acute withdrawal, and can be administered bedside without special equipment, making it highly accessible.

This research highlights the potential of low-cost, low-risk interventions to supplement existing care for opioid dependence, particularly as synthetic opioid misuse like tapentadol rises among young adults. Ongoing studies are exploring longer-term relapse prevention and community-based delivery models.