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Rachel V Thomas

Trying to Quit Tobacco? Yoga Could Improve Your Chances, Suggests Study

Tobacco use remains a global epidemic and one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Despite a strong desire among many users to quit, relapse rates remain alarmingly high. A new study by researchers at the <span>All India Institute of Medical Sciences</span> (AIIMS), New Delhi, suggests that yoga could be a valuable tool in helping people <span>quit tobacco</span>. 

<h2>Yoga Shows Promise for Tobacco Cessation </h2>

To evaluate the effectiveness of yoga in tobacco cessation, researchers led by Dr Gautam Sharma, Department of Cardiology and Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research, AIIMS, conducted a meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to September 2024.

The review included adults aged 18 years and older who used any form of tobacco, excluding vaping products.  Participants were randomly assigned to yoga either as a standalone intervention or alongside conventional cessation treatments. 

The primary outcome assessed was the 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7PPA), a standard measure of smoking cessation. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, depression, anxiety, and mood states.

The findings suggest that “yoga may serve as a moderately effective intervention for tobacco cessation, with an estimated effectiveness of around 50 per cent”, the team said in the paper.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/ayurveda/yoga-may-boost-fertility-and-hormonal-health-in-women-with-pcos-finds-aiims-studies-article-154644772" data-type="tilCustomLink">Yoga May Boost Fertility And Hormonal Health In Women With PCOS</a>

<h2>How Yoga May Help People Quit Tobacco </h2>

Researchers found that active yoga styles such as Hatha, Vinyasa, and Iyengar yoga improved abstinence rates by helping reduce stress, depression, and negative emotions often associated with tobacco withdrawal.

Pranayama, or yogic breathing exercises, was found to reduce cravings and negative affect, making it easier for participants to cope with withdrawal symptoms.

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The review also highlighted the importance of addressing psychological factors linked to tobacco addiction, including perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress—all of which are known contributors to relapse.

While some studies reported stronger psychological benefits than others, overall evidence suggests yoga may support emotional well-being during the quitting process. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/yoga-shows-promise-for-anxiety-relief-and-seizure-control-in-epilepsy-claims-aiims-study-article-154581821" data-type="tilCustomLink">Yoga Shows Promise for Anxiety Relief And Seizure Control In Epilepsy, Claims Study</a>

Researchers believe yoga may help manage tobacco addiction through several biological mechanisms.

Nicotine stimulates nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, triggering the release of neurotransmitters that produce pleasurable and rewarding effects. During withdrawal, stress-related hormones increase, leading to anxiety, cravings, and emotional discomfort.

Yoga appears to counter these effects by shifting the body from a state of sympathetic nervous system dominance ("fight or flight") to parasympathetic dominance ("rest and digest").

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/india-launches-new-yoga-protocols-to-fight-diabetes-high-bp-asthma-article-153954526" data-type="tilCustomLink">India Launches New Yoga Protocols To Fight Diabetes, High BP, Asthma</a>

This shift may reduce activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, lower cortisol levels, and decrease stress hormone production, helping individuals better manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

The team also noted that controlled breathing techniques can significantly influence emotional regulation, with voluntary breath control accounting for substantial variations in emotional states such as anger, fear, and joy.

India alone has more than 270 million active tobacco users. Given the widespread use of smokeless tobacco in the region—and the limited effectiveness of standard cessation medications for these users—yoga could offer an accessible, culturally familiar, and low-cost complementary approach, the researchers stressed. 

While the results are encouraging, researchers also cautioned that larger and more standardized studies are needed.

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Tobacco use remains a global epidemic and one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Despite a strong desire among many users to quit, relapse rates remain alarmingly high. A new study by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, suggests that yoga could be a valuable tool in helping people quit tobacco. Yoga Shows Promise for Tobacco Cessation To evaluate the effectiveness of yoga in tobacco cessation, researchers led by Dr Gautam Sharma, Department of Cardiology and Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research, AIIMS, conducted a meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to September 2024. The review included adults aged 18 years and older who used any form of tobacco, excluding vaping products.  Participants were randomly assigned to yoga either as a standalone intervention or alongside conventional cessation treatments. The primary outcome assessed was the 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7PPA), a standard measure of smoking cessation. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, depression, anxiety, and mood states. The findings suggest that “yoga may serve as a moderately effective intervention for tobacco cessation, with an estimated effectiveness of around 50 per cent”, the team said in the paper.Also read: Yoga May Boost Fertility And Hormonal Health In Women With PCOSHow Yoga May Help People Quit Tobacco  Researchers found that active yoga styles such as Hatha, Vinyasa, and Iyengar yoga improved abstinence rates by helping reduce stress, depression, and negative emotions often associated with tobacco withdrawal. Pranayama, or yogic breathing exercises, was found to reduce cravings and negative affect, making it easier for participants to cope with withdrawal symptoms.The review also highlighted the importance of addressing psychological factors linked to tobacco addiction, including perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress—all of which are known contributors to relapse. While some studies reported stronger psychological benefits than others, overall evidence suggests yoga may support emotional well-being during the quitting process.  Yoga and Tobacco Addiction  Also read: Yoga Shows Promise for Anxiety Relief And Seizure Control In Epilepsy, Claims StudyResearchers believe yoga may help manage tobacco addiction through several biological mechanisms. Nicotine stimulates nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, triggering the release of neurotransmitters that produce pleasurable and rewarding effects. During withdrawal, stress-related hormones increase, leading to anxiety, cravings, and emotional discomfort. Yoga appears to counter these effects by shifting the body from a state of sympathetic nervous system dominance ("fight or flight") to parasympathetic dominance ("rest and digest").Read More: India Launches New Yoga Protocols To Fight Diabetes, High BP, Asthma This shift may reduce activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, lower cortisol levels, and decrease stress hormone production, helping individuals better manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The team also noted that controlled breathing techniques can significantly influence emotional regulation, with voluntary breath control accounting for substantial variations in emotional states such as anger, fear, and joy.India alone has more than 270 million active tobacco users. Given the widespread use of smokeless tobacco in the region—and the limited effectiveness of standard cessation medications for these users—yoga could offer an accessible, culturally familiar, and low-cost complementary approach, the researchers stressed. While the results are encouraging, researchers also cautioned that larger and more standardized studies are needed.

trying to quit tobacco? yoga could improve your chances, suggests study

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