Addiction comes in many forms, from cigarettes to alcohol to food. And those suffering may find remedy in a surprising form: qi gong.
Qi gong (pronounced "CHEE-gung") is an ancient technique that incorporates soft movements and breathing techniques. It's considered a cousin of tai chi, a more well-known Chinese practice that helps the mind relieve stress.
For a study published by the National Institutes of Health, researchers examined how qi gong affects cocaine cravings. The 101 participants, all of whom were recovering from cocaine dependencies, were split into two groups. The first group received a form of qi gong by a trained professional while the other had "sham" treatment – a placebo or fake qi gong – by an actor. Following two weeks of treatments, videos and other materials were shown to the subject to stimulate their cravings.
The results: The individuals who had qi gong demonstrated reductions in cravings, stress and depression.
David Smelson, PsyD, vice chair of clinical research in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, shared his opinion on the findings.
"We found an effect that's positive. What we don't know, for example, is how long that effect will last and, more importantly, whether the effect of reducing cravings actually results in people being sober for more time," Smelson said in press release.
Cravings in the Brain
Previous research indicates that drug cravings can be traced back to a "craving center" in the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, a small pea-shaped area in the frontal lobe of the brain. The anterior cingulate cortex is often responsible for long-term cravings that remain with addicts long after they've shed their habits. This region becomes activated when addicts have brain scans following cue exposure to drugs. It is here that the brain stores memories of feelings of excitement and pleasure associated with the substance.
"Our interpretation is that [the healers in our study] were reducing the blockage of energy in the amygdala and frontal lobes, or the craving areas of the brain," Smelson told the source.
While qi gong proved to be a potential solution for this study, Smelson cautioned that further research is necessary to corroborate the findings.
To take the research one step further, investigators might hone in on another part of the brain, the orbital frontal cortex, that determines whether people act on those cravings. Better understanding the temptation mixed with a follow through of drug addicts may help researchers take strides in treatment development in the future.