Wearable device helps reduce substance cravings.
A wearable biofeedback device may help reduce cravings and substance use by managing stress in real time.
Why it matters
- Offers a non-drug tool for managing substance use disorders.
- Provides real-time support for stress and craving management.
By the numbers
- Study involved 115 adults with severe SUD in early recovery.
- Participants using the device were 64% less likely to use substances daily.
The big picture
- Stress and cravings often lead to relapse in people recovering from SUD.
- The device uses HRV biofeedback to help users manage stress and cravings.
- Previous studies show biofeedback can reduce cravings and anxiety in SUD patients.
What they're saying
- Some users are skeptical about AI wearables.
- Others note that wearables can provide useful health feedback, like the impact of alcohol on sleep and heart rate.
Caveats
- The study focused on the first year of recovery; long-term benefits are unknown.
- More research is needed to confirm sustained benefits.
What’s next
- Future studies will examine if the intervention has long-term benefits.