2breathe Technologies Ltd announced that 2breathe, a smart, connected device tackling sleeplessness via a patented guided-breathing technology, is now publicly available.

2breathe broadly-patented technology grew out of the company’s FDA-cleared device for non-drug treatment of hypertension and stress, RESPeRATE. A “side effect” of RESPeRATE’s was that users reported dozing off during the session and improved sleep. The company adapted the technology for smartphones and created the 2breathe platform to “induce sleep,” according to 2breathe.

A sensor worn around the torso picks up the user’s inhale and exhale movements sending it to an iOS app via low energy Bluetooth. The app transforms, in real time, the breathing into tones that gradually guide the user to prolonged exhalation and slow breathing. Within minutes, neural sympathetic activity is reduced, the user begins to disassociate from both external and internal stimuli, and the mind and body relax into sleep. Once sleep is detected, 2breathe automatically shuts off and generates a report showing the falling asleep process breath-by-breath.

“We believe that tracking sleep is nice, but inducing sleep is better,” says Erez Gavish, 2breathe co-founder and CEO in a release. “164 million Americans struggle with sleep at least once a week, which is not surprising considering the extent of modern day work schedules and life stresses. We’re excited to be able to offer a real breakthrough to help those who can not ‘shut off’ their minds and fall asleep.”