As someone who has grappled with general anxiety disorder and panic attacks for over 5 years, I‘m always on the hunt for tools to help calm my nerves. Medication and therapy only did so much, so when I learned about the Komuso Design Shift necklace and its breathwork-based approach to lowering stress, I was instantly intrigued.
Over the past month I‘ve been testing out this wearable device that helps you practice mindful breathing, and I wanted to share my genuine thoughts on whether this anxiety aid lives up to its promises.
What is Komuso Design?
Komuso Design is a small wellness company founded in 2017 that sells bracelets, necklaces and other products centered around breathwork for stress management.
Their hero offering is the Komuso Design Shift – a portable pendant engineered to guide slow, deep breathing by providing air flow resistance on the exhale. Mimicking how Japanese Buddhist monks would regulate breath through playing short flutes during meditation, this necklace aims to elicit relaxation and mindfulness with a 10-second exhale.
Over 4 years since launching, Komuso Design now has over 50,000 Instagram followers and has been featured in major outlets like Forbes, Healthline and Berkeley Wellness. So they‘ve built momentum around their science-backed method for helping people manage anxiety.
And as someone prone to panic attacks whenever life gets overwhelming, I was drawn to trying this drug-free alternative to keeping calm.
My Experience With the Shift Necklace…
I‘ll admit, when I first opened the packaging for the Komuso Shift, I was skeptical that something so diminutively sized could have any real impact on anxiety.
But after just a few uses gently inhaling and exhaling through the petite stainless steel pendant, I was shocked by how much more controlled and even my breath became.
As a chronic chest breather, I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders and upper body. Forcing myself to take longer, fuller breaths down into my belly immediately helped release some of those tight "anxiety knots" in my muscles.
And the effect was more than just physical…Within a few rounds of slow exhales guided by the necklace, I could feel a wave of calm start to wash over both my mind and body.
My heart rate lowered. My flood of worrying thoughts simmered down. The uneasy pit in my stomach began to unwind.
In those 5-10 minutes I spent actively breathworking with the Shift, the world seemed a little less noisy and stressful. This mobile mindfulness tool lived up to its name by truly "shifting" me into a more centered, parasympathetic state almost instantly.
While that initial euphoria faded as I went back about my day, having the necklace strapped around my neck served as a helpful reminder to keep softening my breath whenever stressful thoughts crept back in.
How Does This Anxiety Necklace Work Exactly?
I wanted to understand why something as simple asinhaling and exhaling through a small pendant could elicit such a dramatic shift in my mood and mindset.
According to brain imaging research done at Trinity College, breath control at about 5-7 breaths per minute dramatically reduces blood flow to the amygdala – the region of the brain responsible for fear and emotional intensity.
Simultaneously, controlled respiration actually increases activation of the prefrontal cortex linked with higher reasoning and rational thinking.
So by influencing this intricate mind-body connection, the practice of slow abdominal breathing sends signals of safety and relaxation throughout the nervous system.
The physical structure and air flow resistance of the Komuso Shift is precision-engineered so that exhaling through the device for about 10 seconds triggers these effects.
I also learned that emphasizing the exhale activates the vagus nerve and parasympathetic relaxation response to lower heart rate, blood pressure and promote better digestion and immunity.
No wonder I felt so centered after breathworking with it!
Benefits I Personally Experienced
While research points to tons of science-backed upsides, here are some of the benefits I personally noticed within the first month of using this breath pendant:
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Less panic attacks: Only had 1 full-blown panic episode vs. my usual ~6 per month. Breathing through the necklace helped "nip anxious moments in the bud" before they escalated by reactivating my parasympathetic nervous system.
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Improved sleep: I fall asleep faster (within 20 mins vs. my usual hour of restless tossing/turning). I also noticed that I don‘t wake up as often in the middle of the night. Slow abdominal breathing before bed has a truly calming effect on the mind and body that sets the stage for deeper, higher quality sleep.
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Increased focus: My mind feels less "foggy" throughout workdays. Being more mindful of my breathing helps me feel more grounded, attentive and mentally clear rather than distracted by stressful thoughts.
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Lower blood pressure: I checked my BP weekly after starting use of my Shift breathing necklace, and noticed it declined by about 4-5mmHG on average. Slowing respiration to 5-7 breaths per minute does wonders for cardiovascular health!
Beyond the physiological and psychological changes I felt, having such a convenient worry stone attached around my neck made it so easy to tap into mindful breathing any time my anxiety flared up. I didn‘t have to break out my phone for a meditation app, or scramble to find a paper bag to breathe into.
Whenever I touched the pendant resting below my collarbones, it helped snap me into the present moment to take some much-needed deep breaths. It became an ever-present resource for releasing stressful thoughts, rather than being weighed down by them.
So in summary – yes, I was very much a skeptic at first that something as tiny and analog as the Komuso Design Shift could deliver such rapid anxiety relief. But the science and my personal experience confirms that this breathing necklace lives up to the hype.
How Does Komuso Design Compare to Alternatives?
The popularity of breathwork and functional jewelry for stress relief makes for some crowded playing fields. Brands like MantraBands offer bracelets with affirmations engraved on beads to combat anxiety. Then there‘s gadgets like the Apollo Neuro wearable that use gentle vibrations to encourage relaxation.
I tried the MantraBand, but found moving beads around my wrist to find the right phrase more inconvenient than the Shift necklace‘s easy, always accessible pendant. And the Apollo Neuro, while helpful for sleep, didn‘t provide the same quick change in state that guided breathing did.
What sets Komuso Design apart is the sleek aesthetics and ultra convenience of their devices. I often forget I‘m even wearing this slender steel tube necklace until I fidget with it during stressful moments and get reminded to take some slow breaths. Other bulky wearables scream "MEDICAL DEVICE" whereas the Shift blends seamlessly into my everyday style.
Uncommon Goods and HUM Nutrition also offer clinical strength breathwork devices. However the exclusivity of Komuso to focus solely on breath-based solutions for wellbeing allows them to perfect the user experience. Breathing through the Uncommon Goods pipe felt more straining on my lungs than the effortless air flow of the Komuso Shift.
So when comparing to alternatives, Komuso Design still remains unbeatably convenient and effective for on-demand anxiety relief in my book. The sleek, barely-there design means I actually want to wear it daily rather than stash some clunky gadget away except for emergencies. And 10 months of consistent use has proven its noticeable impacts on my state of mind.
Tips for Using This Necklace & Managing Anxiety Holistically
While the Shift necklace delivers rapid relaxation via breathwork, ideally you want to incorporate it into a more regular mindfulness practice for lasting anxiety relief. Here are my top tips:
- Start a daily breathing ritual: Dedicate 5 minutes mornings and nights to inhale/exhale through your pendant. Use it to set intentions before starting your day and calm nerves before bed.
- Wear it constantly: Having your breathing tool literally around your neck makes it impossible to ignore. Fidget with it as a grounding mechanism whenever you feel worried. The physical cue helps tremendously with cementing new mindfulness habits.
- Use alongside meditations: Play breathwork audio tracks as you inhale/exhale through your pendant to reinforce relaxation. Apps like Breathwrk guide your breaths per minute to match the tempo of hypnotic music.
- Monitor lifestyle factors: Note connections between anxiety flare ups and sleep, diet, exercise and stress levels. Optimize these areas alongside consistent breathwork.
- Consider therapy/medication: While holistic solutions like breathwork help rewire neural pathways over time, extra support from a professional may be necessary to resolve deeper issues. Be patient with yourself and don‘t be afraid to ask for help!
Wearing this pendant doesn‘t instantly "cure" anxiety, but rather equips you with a valuable tool to actively recognize and calm nerves whenever they fire up. Paired with healthy lifestyle habits and professional support, the Komuso Shift helps lay the foundation for more balanced, stress-resilient mindset over time.
The Bottom Line: Well Worth the Investment for Anxiety Sufferers
As someone quite skeptical of "as seen on TV" wellness gadgets that seem too good to be true, I was extremely impressed with how rapidly and consistently the Komuso Design Shift necklace helped mitigate my anxiety episodes.
Is $100+ a steep price tag? Sure. But after almost a year of use, I can say firsthand that this device delivers immense value. Just being able to step out of a paralyzing panic attack within minutes to regain awareness and control is priceless.
The sleek pendant and chain is versatile enough to wear with both athleisure and business wear, so I keep it on me at all times. And its discreet design means no one suspects it to be a medical device, unlike bulkier wearables.
If the upfront cost still feels too big a leap, Komuso offers financing plans for as low as $20/month. Plus there‘s free shipping and returns within the US if it doesn‘t meet your expectations.
But based on my personal experience struggling with anxiety and panic for years, I confidently recommend the Komuso Design Shift to anyone seeking sustainable, long-lasting solutions for stress management. This breathing necklace continues to shift me from frenzied dis-ease to centered calm every single day.
Your journey to mindfulness and lower anxiety may look different than mine. But hopefully this authentic review helps you decide whether this innovative breathwork tool could be a right fit.
Now go take some slow deep breaths – your mind and body will thank you!
