Addiction is a devastating disease of the body, the mind, and even the personality. Recent research shows that heart rate variability biofeedback can help the alcoholic/addict recover in three crucial ways, namely (1) treating the associated comorbidities (depression, anxiety, chronic pain), (2) treating the physiology around craving, and (3) returning to a loving and nurturing relationship with one's own body instead of an abusive and exploitive one.
Healthy self versus addict self.
Baseline heart rate variability in a 27-year-old female patient diagnosed with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Recorded on the emWave PC, and indicating very low heart rate variability and poor autonomic nervous system balance.
Patient's progress over 4 weeks of heart rate variability biofeedback, weekly 45-minute sessions using the emWave PC along with additional respiration feedback. Results show significant and sustained improvement in her capacity to improve autonomic nervous system balance even as challenge level increased, and also decreasing average heart rate. She subjectively reported much more daily ease and sense of inner balance over the course of training.
Contributor Notes