Fact Check: Can Anulom Vilom Cure Migraine in 3 Minutes and High BP in 5 minutes?

The claim can be accessed here. 

Fact Check

The claim is FALSE. Anulom Vilom may offer certain health benefits, but there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that it can cure migraines in 3 minutes or reduce high blood pressure in 5 minutes.

What is High Blood Pressure?

The World Health Organization defines high blood pressure, or hypertension, as a condition in which blood pressure in the vessels remains consistently high—at 140/90 mmHg or greater. While it is very common, untreated hypertension can lead to serious health problems.

Hypertension does not have a permanent cure. However, it can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes—such as diet, exercise, and weight control—and with medications prescribed by a registered medical professional.

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a neurological condition with a genetic basis, marked by repeated episodes of moderate to severe headache, usually affecting one side of the head. These headaches are commonly accompanied by nausea, as well as sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks may last for several hours to a few days, often interfering with daily functioning and reducing quality of life. Triggers vary and can include stress, hormonal changes, specific foods, and environmental factors. As a widespread health issue, migraine is a major contributor to disability, frequently causing missed workdays and reduced productivity.

What is Anulom Vilom?

Anulom Vilom also called Anulom Vilom Pranayama is described as a breathing exercise that enhances oxygenation, particularly important for maintaining the health of cilia in the respiratory system. It is considered a non-invasive and time-tested practice, simple to perform and essentially a modified form of normal breathing. The exercise is suggested to improve ciliary oxygen saturation, which plays a key role in restoring ciliary function from abnormal to normal.

Can Anulom Vilom Cure Migraine in 3 Minutes and High BP in 5 minutes?

Anulom Vilom offers promising long-term benefits for health. However, the claim that it cures migraines in 3 minutes or BP in 5 minutes is FALSE. These conditions often require a comprehensive treatment plan and cannot be cured by anulom vilom.

Anulom Vilom is shown to benefit respiratory health. According to a study in Acta Scientific Medical Sciences, the practice boosts lung function, increases vital capacity and breath-holding time, and strengthens essential respiratory muscles, thereby supporting better cardio-respiratory performance and higher energy levels.

Anulom Vilom may serve as a supportive practice for individuals with hypertension. A study in the International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research found that four weeks of regular practice reduced certain cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients. However, there is no scientific evidence to show that it directly lowers high blood pressure that too in 5 minutes.

Yoga has been shown to aid in migraine management. In a study, Anjana Kaushal et. al. reported that pranayama may complement migraine treatment by reducing headache severity and frequency, as well as shortening episode duration. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that Anulom Vilom can cure migraine in 3 minutes.

While Anulom Vilom may support respiratory health, aid in hypertension management, and yoga can complement migraine treatment over time, there is no scientific evidence that it can cure migraines in 3 minutes or lower high blood pressure in 5 minutes.

Dr Avinash Kulkarni, Consultant Neurologist, Gleneagles BGS hospital in a conversation said , "The short answer is no, because both blood pressure and migraine are chronic conditions — there is no concept of a complete cure.Now, is the claim entirely false? Not really. It is partially true. What I mean is this: breathing patterns play an important role. The way we breathe influences changes in the brain. They are interconnected. In patients with migraine, certain breathing patterns — especially the Indian practice of anulom-vilom or pranayama — have been shown to alter brain chemistry in a way that reduces headache episodes. This can decrease the overall frequency of attacks. However, it does not cure migraine.

The same applies to blood pressure. Research has shown that deeper, slower breathing lowers blood pressure. During anulom-vilom, one breathes deeply and the number of breaths per minute comes down. This calm breathing pattern leads to a reduction in blood pressure to near-normal levels. But this effect is transient. It does not mean blood pressure is cured.

Patients should therefore not believe claims that migraine or hypertension can be cured, nor should they stop their prescribed medicines in favor of breathing exercises alone. Doing so can result in serious complications such as stroke or heart attack.

Breathing exercises like anulom-vilom should be considered only as a supportive measure, to be practiced alongside proper medical management under the guidance of a neurologist or cardiologist."

Dr Umesh Tukaram, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Neurology), Clinical Director & Senior Consultant Neurology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad further added, "Anulom Vilom, also known as alternate nostril breathing, is a yoga technique that is believed to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

Regular practice is often said to help in controlling blood pressure and reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. However, it is very important to clarify that no breathing exercise, including Anulom Vilom, can cure migraine within three minutes or normalize high blood pressure in five minutes.

Migraine and hypertension are medical conditions influenced by multiple factors such as genetics, lifestyle, diet, and stress. While yoga and breathing exercises can be excellent complementary therapies, they should never replace medical treatment.

If someone is experiencing frequent migraines or high blood pressure, I strongly recommend consulting a qualified medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, incorporating healthy lifestyle practices — including yoga and breathing exercises — can play a valuable role in long-term management."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While Anulom Vilom, a form of controlled yogic breathing, may offer long-term benefits for overall well-being, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus that it can cure migraine in 3 minutes or normalize blood pressure in 5 minutes.

Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.