An autonomic conditioning device for treatment of sleep apnea is disclosed. The device includes a control unit and a user mounting device carrying at least one respiratory sensor, at least one conditioning signal electrode, and at least one punitive signal electrode that are electrically connected to the control unit. In this regard, during use the respiratory sensor(s) sense information indicative of wearer respiration, and the control unit is adapted to prompt the conditioning signal electrode(s) to transmit a warning to the wearer upon detecting a variation in respiratory cycle time. The control unit is further adapted to prompt the punitive signal electrode(s) to transmit a painful pulse to the wearer upon identifying an unheeded warning from the conditioning signal electrode.