CBT, Yoga and Blood Pressure CBT stands for Cognitive behavioral therapy. Is it possible that simply changing the way you think can have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure? The research appears to agree that CBT can lower blood pressure. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems (HBP). Cognitive and behavioral therapy can be used as an adjunct to medications to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients. In one study, there was a significant reduction from baseline to the second post-test assessment, in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels from 134+/-9 to 123+/-8 mmHg and from 87+/-5 to 73+/-6 mmHg, respectively. In another study of 35 hospital patients were enrolled in a yoga class and an at-home yoga self-study and both groups reported a dec