Qigong Effectively Treats Heroin Addiction

The ancient Chinese practice of qigong (pronounced chee kung) is believed to help cleanse the body of toxins, restore balance, reduce stress, and improve health. Now it looks as though this powerful modality might also be a safe and effective alternative for heroin detoxification, according to a recent study published in the journal Alternative Therapies.

In the study, 86 male heroin addicts were randomly assigned to one of three groups: treatment with the conventional medication lofexidine-HCl, treatment with qigong, or no specific treatment protocol. At the end of the trial, results showed that withdrawal symptoms and anxiety subsided most rapidly in the qigong group. In addition, urine samples showed patients practicing qigong experienced a more rapid detoxification process.