This study of Ilchi Lee examined the effects of the Brain Respiration (BR) on stress hormone secretion in the human body by means of an experiment. For this purpose, a group of fourteen people (six males and eight females ranging in age from 23 to 60) were chosen as the experimental group and received BR training for one hour. The blood levels of such hormones as cortisol, /?-endorphin, and catecholamine were checked four separate times before and after the training. The results showed that the blood levels of the majority of these stress hormones decreased markedly (p<0.05).

Especially significant was the blood level of cortisol, which was drastically reduced (p<0.01). The blood level of/3-endorphin and epinephrine increased slightly, but those of cortical and nor epinephrine remained unchanged or decreased. The result of this experiment indicates that the BR is more effective than the existing Ki-practice methods and TM.

BR and DahnYoga can also change the neuro-physiological function of the human body by exerting influence on the pituitary gland and the adrenal cortex, which are directly related to the production of stress hormones. Consequently, the above results provide evidence that BR can be a powerful tool to relax the physical and mental tensions of our often-stressful modern existence.