Yoga aids speedy opioid withdrawal recovery, improves anxiety, sleep: Study

Varanasi: People perform yoga on the occasion of International Yoga Day at Namo Ghat in Varanasi on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo: IANS/X/@mdniy)

New Delhi, (IANS) Yoga can aid in the speedy recovery of people with opioid withdrawal, as well as improve anxiety, sleep, and pain in them, according to a study.

Opioid withdrawal involves physical symptoms like diarrhoea, insomnia, fever, pain, anxiety, and depression, and autonomic signs such as pupil dilation, runny nose, goosebumps, anorexia, yawning, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. These symptoms result from sympathetic nervous system overactivity due to dysregulated noradrenergic outflow.

The study led by researchers from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, and Harvard Medical School, US, calls for integrating yoga into withdrawal protocols as a neurobiologically informed intervention. They noted that yoga will help address core regulatory processes beyond symptom management.

“In this trial, yoga significantly enhanced opioid withdrawal recovery through measurable autonomic and clinical improvements, supporting its integration into withdrawal protocols as a neurobiologically informed intervention,” said Suddala Goutham, from the Department of Integrative Medicine at NIMHANS.

Opioid use disorder (OUD), characterised by recurrent opioid use, leading to significant physical, psychological, and social problems, is a significant global public health challenge.

In 2022, an estimated 60 million people worldwide used opioids nonmedically, yet only 1 in 11 individuals with drug use disorders received treatment. In India, a 2019 national survey indicated a 2.1 per cent prevalence of opioid use.

Opioid withdrawal involves sympathetic hyperactivity and reduced parasympathetic tone, which standard pharmacological treatments may not adequately address, contributing to relapse vulnerability.

To evaluate yoga as an adjuvant therapy to accelerate opioid withdrawal recovery, the team conducted a randomised clinical trial of 59 male participants (30 yoga and 29 control participants) with opioid use disorder.

The participants who received yoga alongside standard buprenorphine treatment achieved withdrawal stabilisation 4.4 times faster than controls. They also showed significant improvements in heart rate variability, anxiety, sleep, and pain measures.

“In this randomised clinical trial, adjuvant yoga therapy significantly accelerated opioid withdrawal recovery while addressing autonomic dysregulation. The concurrent physiological, psychological, and symptomatic improvements suggest that yoga may restore core regulatory processes beyond symptom management,” said the team in the paper, published in the JAMA Psychiatry.“By targeting parasympathetic restoration, yoga may fill a critical therapeutic gap in standard OUD care, supporting integration into withdrawal protocols as a neurobiologically informed intervention with potential economic benefits,” they added. Yoga aids speedy opioid withdrawal recovery, improves anxiety, sleep: Study | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........→March 07, 2026

Fun ways to make your grandparents feel special

New Delhi, (IANSlife) Grandparents hold a special place in our hearts as the guiding stars who illuminate our journey through life's highs and lows. Yet, in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we can unintentionally let precious moments with them slip away.

Spending quality bonding time with grandparents can create lasting memories and strengthen family connections. It is always helpful to be patient, mindful, and attentive when spending time with the grandparents, as it may take a little extra effort to accommodate their pace and preferences. The key is to create an atmosphere of love, respect, and connection during your time together. And what better way to celebrate this special day than by gathering together or spending a cozy day indoors? There's nothing quite like the joy of sharing stories and laughter over a game!

Storytelling and Reminiscing: Sit down with your grandparents and ask them to share stories from their past. This can be a great way to learn about their life experiences, family history, and the world from the lens of their youth. It will take you back in time and help you visualize a different world from the one you see today! Ask for their opinion about the changed world and listen to them share their perspectives and feelings. You can also share your own stories, fostering a sense of connection across generations.

Engage in creative activities: Cooking or baking can be a wonderful way to bond. Ask your grandparents to teach you a family recipe or share their culinary skills with you. Not only will you create delicious meals or treats, but you can also learn about the secret ingredients they use to make lip-smacking dishes. You will also have fun working together in the kitchen! Activities like painting, knitting, or crafting can also be picked up based on your and your grandparent's shared interests. Many grandparents have artistic talents that they would love to share, as nothing gives them the utmost joy than watching their own grandchildren inculcate their techniques and strokes. Above all, working on a project together can be both enjoyable and educational!Games and Puzzles: Playing board games, card games, or working on puzzles together is entertaining and mentally stimulating. You can choose games like Monopoly Super E-Banking, Monopoly Deal Card Game, and Wordle that cater to various skill levels and preferences, ensuring everyone can participate. Such games foster a sense of connection with one another and create trust. You experience the unrivaled satisfaction of engaging in laughter with your loved ones. It encourages familial ties and creates a safe space for emotional expression while playing alongside the elders of the family.Fun ways to make your grandparents feel special | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........→March 05, 2026