0026. Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans

Methods We performed a parallel randomized controlled study in healthy male volunteers. Subjects were randomized to receive either a 10-day training program involving meditation (third eye meditation), breathing techniques (i.a., cyclic hyperventilation followed by breath retention), and exposure to cold (i.a., immersions in ice cold water), or no training. Subjects in both groups (n = 12 per group) underwent experimental human endotoxemia (intravenous administration of 2 ng/kg E. Coli lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) during which the trained individuals practiced the learned techniques.