Breathwork Techniques Trigger Altered States of Consciousness and Brain Blood Flow Changes

Recent research underscores the powerful effects of breathwork practices, especially when combined with music, in inducing altered states of consciousness (ASCs). A study published in the open-access journal PLOS One conducted by Amy Amla Kartar and colleagues from Brighton and Sussex Medical School explores how high-ventilation breathwork (HVB) can produce these profound mental shifts. During these sessions, participants engaged in cyclic breathing exercises lasting 20 to 30 minutes, all while listening to music, followed by questionnaires to assess their experiences.

The findings reveal that HVB can evoke states similar to psychedelic experiences, such as oceanic boundlessness, characterized by feelings of unity, bliss, and insightfulness. Notably, these states are associated with specific brain activity changes. The study showed that ASCs correlated with a decrease in blood flow to regions involved in sensing internal bodily states, like the left operculum and posterior insula, indicating a modulation in self-awareness and bodily perception.

Interestingly, despite global reductions in brain blood flow during HVB, there was an increase in blood flow in the right amygdala and anterior hippocampus regions, which are linked to emotional memory and processing. These alterations in blood flow patterns were associated with positive emotional experiences and reduced negative emotions, including fear.

The researchers highlight that HVB's neurobiological effects resemble those of psychedelic substances, offering a potential nonpharmacological alternative for mental health therapy. Their work also maps how specific brain regions are involved in the profound subjective experiences reported by practitioners.

Kartar emphasizes that this pioneering use of neuroimaging during breathwork provides new insights into its potential for psychological and emotional regulation. The results suggest that breathwork could serve as a natural, accessible tool for neuromodulation, possibly benefiting conditions involving distress and emotional dysregulation.

While further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary, this research opens exciting avenues for therapeutic applications of breathwork and contributes significantly to understanding the brain mechanisms underlying altered states of consciousness.