Neuroscientists Find Brain Circuit to Instantly Reduce Stress

Neuroscientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a brain circuit that regulates voluntary breathing, potentially leading to new anxiety treatments. This breakthrough, published in Nature Neuroscience, could pave the way for drugs that mimic the calming effects of practices like yoga and meditation by targeting specific brain pathways. Such medications might offer more precise anxiety relief with fewer side effects compared to current treatments. The research is a significant step towards understanding how controlled breathing can alleviate anxiety, though practical applications may take years to develop.