Calmigo Review – Does Smart Technology to Regulate Breathing Work?

This review is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.

With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that an extensive list with all used Sources is available at the end of the review.

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Read more about CalmiGo’s background and product here.

CalmiGo is advertised as a drug-free stress and anxiousness relief device. According to the company, the device uses personalized breathing regulation and sensory stimulation to help you stop anxiety and stress symptoms and gain back their calm, control, and confidence.

Basically, this device promise is all the benefits of anti-anxiety medication but without any unwanted adverse effects. It sounds pretty great, right?

But can simple device deliver on that promise? Is there any science behind it?

Read our in-depth CalmiGo review to get answers to all your questions regarding this stress and anxiety relief device.

Introduction

CalmiGo patented technology provides immediate, drug-free relief for moments of distress, anxiousness, and stress by regulating your breathing patterns and stimulating your senses.

That’s a long description for a simple inhaler. At this point, we think an inhaler is actually much more complex than what we have here. 

The device runs on 2 AAA batteries. It has a soft cover that protects it and keeps the mouthpiece covered. To use it, simply remove the lid and turn it on. You will see a yellow light indicating that it is powered on.

Then you just place your mouth around the mouthpiece and breathe. The first thing that you will note is a subtle, clean scent. This is from the scent pad attached to the device. According to the company, the scent is intended to activate your brain’s mechanisms to help you relax. And that’s all.

Who Makes It?

According to the official website, this anxiety and stress relief device is made by CalmiGo LLC (formerly known as myReLeaf). However, according to Crunchbase (an online database of hundreds of thousands of company profiles), the business that owns the patent is Dendro Technologies Inc. 

Strange that the official website doesn’t disclose any of that information. Also, what happened to myReLeaf?

We did some research and discovered that myReLeaf was selling a device called… “myReLeaf Drug-Free Device for Immediate Anxiousness and Stress Relief.” Sounds familiar? 

myReLeaf is the exact same device as CalmiGo – the same design, features, benefits. It’s an exact copy and paste, down to the words used to market it. However, this device was not popular at all. The social pages are devoid of followers, we couldn’t find any actual reviews and testimonials online, and it used to be sold in just a handful of online stores.

CalmiGo LLC (myReLeaf) contact information:

  • Address: 430 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
  • Email: support@calmigo.com
  • Phone: +1-888-4CalmiGo
  • Website: calmigo.com

How Does CalmiGo Work?

This device’s principle is quite simple: each individual has a dominant sense, whether it is visual acuity, olfactory, or auditory. According to the manufacturer, CalmiGo works by activating all these senses at once. By doing that, the device effectively detaches your sense from a state of anxiousness or stress to a state of calm. 

CalmiGo’s simple mechanism of action uses relaxing scents for two primary purposes.

First, when you remove the cover, it immediately activates a physiological and psychological response (related to specific associations and memories), giving you a sense of calm, even before you turn on the device.

Secondly, it activates parts of your nervous system, which induce mind and body relaxation in just a few seconds.

The Science Behind CalmiGo

The vibration and lights feedback guide you to effortlessly monitor your breathing according to your needs and individual abilities at the moment. As a result, the levels of O2 and CO2 in your blood are balanced, and the system in your brain that is responsible for relaxation (known as the parasympathetic system) is activated. Thus, you achieve calm after just a few breaths.

When we feel stress or are anxious, our sympathetic nervous system is activated. As a result, our breathing rate increases; specifically, the duration of our exhalation becomes shorter. 

Some common symptoms provoked by the high breathing rate are:

  • Reduced PCO2 level, which can lead to several cognitive symptoms, such as poor mental performance, low concentration levels, “unreal” feeling, fatigue, and fear of madness;
  • Increase in the sense of threat;
  • A decrease in PCO2 level (caused by hyperventilation) which may lead to several physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, tingling in the hands or feet, chest pain or discomfort, or accelerated heart rate; 
  • Growth in the limbic and cortical activity in our brain (which manifests as increased arousal or alertness)

The cumulative effect of the two methods – relaxing scents and exhalation prolongation – addresses many anxiety related symptoms. This helps achieve calmness quickly and effectively.

Combining these two methods together with multi-sensory stimulation in one device, which can be readily used during the moment of anxiety and is adaptive to the user’s performance, grants CalmiGo its uniqueness.

Can Aromatherapy Reduce Stress and Anxiety?

Aromas have been used for thousands of years for their mood-altering and therapeutic benefits. Aroma particles have diverse effects on human physiology and behavior, varying from shift in mood or emotional state, to activation of memories and even a change in EEG’s brain activity. 

This is generally credited to the close link between the limbic system (the brain network correlated with memories and emotions) and the olfactory system (sense of smell). 

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of aromatic essential oils to promote a required psychological and physiological state. The essential oils involved in aromatherapy are highly concentrated essence, extracted from plants through distillation.

CalmiGo Review – Pros & Cons

Pros

  • May provide some stress and anxiety relief;
  • Three available scents to choose from – bergamot (citrus), peppermint, and lavender.

Cons

  • CalmiGo looks like another rebranded generic product;
  • It’s just a basic inhaler that operates on scented pads;
  • Expensive for what it offers;
  • While the company claims that CalmiGo’s benefits are backed by science and clinical research, none of the quoted studies are relevant for the way their product works.

Customer Testimonials

Did not work. I really wanted to love this item but did not work for me. Overpriced lavender. Returned the item and had to pay return shipping. Hopefully, I see […] Read full review

I bought this device for my wife. She has been struggling with anxiety, and even though she is practicing relaxation and breathing techniques, I noticed there are many times in which she still struggles. I bought this for her […] Read full review

I’ve had this device for a month, and I have mixed feelings. I have decided to keep it, but not without some reservations. I noticed many of these reviews tend to be shortly after receiving the device, so I hope my one-month thoughts are helpful. On the one hand […] Read full review

Where To Buy It?

You can buy CalmiGo online on Amazon or from the official website. The device is available in two colors – grey and purple – and costs $179 (the first two scented are pads included).

Similar Products

Before we conclude our CalmiGo review, let’s take a quick look over several other products that may represent good alternatives for those who are not convinced by the benefits of this stress and anxiousness relief device.

Tranquility Spa Sound Soother made by Sharper Image – This white noise machine provides soothing sounds that are perfect for assisting with sleep & providing ambiance for home, office, nursery & travel. The product is recommended to adults, children, and even babies. You can choose from 16 soothing preloaded audio tracks, 20 levels of volume, and five levels of brightness. Tranquility Spa Sound Soother has excellent ratings, and it only costs $34.99.

Dodow Sleep Aid Device made by Dodow – This is another interesting device that combines a metronome with a light system. It is designed to help people fall asleep, relax, and alleviate stress and anxiety. Dodow Sleep Aid Device is priced at $59.00 on Amazon.

Essential Oils made by O’linear – Easy to use, effective, and affordable, essential oils have been used for centuries to reduce stress, anxiety, support mood, and improve sleep. These essential oils made by O’linear in the EU can be used for aromatherapy, steam inhalations, infusers, skincare, natural perfumery, bath oil, massage, saunas, hair care, air freshening, compresses, creams, vaporization, lotions, soap & bath bomb, and candles. A gift set that includes 8 x 10 ml bottles costs $14.99.

Bottom Line

The company quotes a lot of research on the benefits of aromatherapy for stress, anxiety, and panic attacks. However, those studies involved long, intense aromatherapy sessions and cannot prove CalmiGo’s effectiveness.

The fact they had to rebrand their business and their product is strange too. Especially since CalmiGo and myReLeaf are the exact same product, not a single difference between the two devices. 

Is CamiGo anything else than a placebo effect? Probably not. Intense aromatherapy sessions are proven to reduce stress and anxiety, but this device doesn’t offer that. 

And for $179 + shipping & handling costs + the replaceable scented pads (which are not cheap), we think you will be better off buying a quality aromatherapy diffuser instead.


Frequently Asked Questions

CalmiGo is a small, portable device that helps you regulate your breathing to help you manage stressful or anxious moments without drugs.

You can purchase CalmiGo online either from the official website (calmigo.com) or Amazon store.

You will receive two scented pads when you buy the device. The two pads should last anywhere from 4 weeks to 12 weeks, depending on how often you use the device and the user’s sensitivity to scent.

Yes, the device can be used by children as well.

CalmiGo is battery-operated and operates on 2 AAA batteries. In your initial shipment, batteries are included.

Yes, you can choose between three available scents: bergamot (citrus), peppermint, and lavender.

CalmiGo reviews on Amazon, as of February 2021, are positive, with 71% of the customers ranking the device with four (4) stars or higher. Out of 180 customer reviews, here’s how the device ranks: 

  • 5 star – 63%
  • 4 star – 8%
  • 3 star – 12%
  • 2 star – 6%
  • 1 star – 11%


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