New research at the BTH: menthol may ease severe breathlessness
- Post by: AHT
- 29 August, 2026
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Researchers at the Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) Research and Education Clinic and the Health & Technology Research Lab have completed a pilot study showing that inhaled menthol can reduce the sensation of breathlessness in people living with COPD.
Twenty patients with COPD took part in the study, which was carried out at the clinic in Karlskrona. Each participant cycled on a stationary bike for as long as they could manage while inhaling either menthol or a placebo. Those who inhaled menthol reported a lower perceived intensity of breathlessness, and they were also able to keep cycling somewhat longer.
Breathlessness is one of the most limiting symptoms in a range of conditions, including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and heart disease. The aim of the study was not to treat the underlying disease, but to relieve the symptom itself. As the study lead, researcher Dr. Jacob Sandberg, notes, many pharmacological approaches have been tested for this purpose over the years without producing a clear symptom-relieving effect, which makes the present finding particularly interesting.
The work reflects the shared profile of the BTH Research and Education Clinic and the Health & Technology Research Lab, where clinical studies, health, and technology research are conducted side by side, with patients and participants taking part directly in the research environment. The results now provide a basis for larger studies on menthol as a symptomatic treatment for breathlessness.
The study was featured by SVT Nyheter Blekinge on August 28, 2026. Read the article and watch the report here: SVT Nyheter