Altered states of consciousness induced by breathwork accompanied by music
13 days ago
- #breathwork
- #altered states of consciousness
- #neuroscience
- Breathwork practices, especially high ventilation breathwork (HVB), can induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs) similar to those caused by psychedelics.
- The study explores the neurobiological mechanisms behind HVB-induced ASCs, focusing on cerebral perfusion and autonomic nervous system responses.
- Key findings include correlations between ASC intensity and changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in regions like the left operculum/posterior insula and right amygdala/anterior hippocampus.
- HVB reliably enhances experiences of oceanic boundlessness (OBN), a state linked to therapeutic outcomes in psychedelic research.
- The study highlights the importance of 'set and setting' in breathwork, similar to psychedelic therapy, influencing subjective experiences.
- No adverse effects or panic attacks were reported, though mild discomfort was noted, particularly in MRI settings.
- The research suggests HVB could serve as a non-pharmacological alternative for inducing therapeutic states, with potential applications in mental health.