Intensive breathing linked to altered consciousness and brain communication

by European College of Neuropsychopharmacology

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan

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Intensive breathing exercises can reduce blood flow to the brain by up to 45% and alter communication between brain networks, according to a new brain-imaging study. Participants reported experiences resembling some effects of psychedelic drugs, including altered perception, vivid mental imagery, a sense of unity and changes in self-experience. The researchers, presenting the work at the ECNP Congress in Munich, say changes in brain communication, rather than reduced blood flow alone, appear to be key to the altered state.

The study involved 30 healthy, experienced breathwork practitioners who performed high-ventilation breathwork during MRI scanning. Participants reported strong altered states of consciousness, describing a predominantly oceanic state—in other words, a deep feeling of connection to the universe—resembling that of a moderate to high dose of LSD or psilocybin, albeit with less pronounced visual effects.

Brain networks track altered states

Brain imaging showed that global gray-matter cerebral blood flow fell by around 45% during the session, on average from 16.24 to 9.81 ml/100g/min. Those who reported stronger altered states also showed greater changes in the brain's default mode network, which is involved in self-reflection and self-related thinking.

The researchers suggest that the intensity of the experience is not simply explained by reduced blood flow. Instead, the experience might track more closely with changes in communication within the default mode network, a brain system linked to self-reflection and self-related thought.

Lead researcher Dr. Christian Schmitz, of the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany, said, "Many people who practice intensive breathwork report profound changes in perception and self-experience, yet the underlying brain mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our study suggests that these experiences are linked not only to marked changes in cerebral blood flow, but also to alterations in how key brain networks communicate."

Therapeutic potential needs controlled trials

Co-coordinator Hana Adolphi said, "Breathwork is a legal, inexpensive and nonpharmacological intervention that may provide a valuable tool for studying altered states of consciousness. Understanding these mechanisms could also help inform future research into novel approaches for mental health treatment.

"Nevertheless, this was a relatively small study, and the findings should be considered preliminary. Larger studies will be needed to determine whether these brain changes have clinical relevance."

Commenting, Dr. Guy Fincham (Brighton and Sussex Medical School, U.K.) said, "This study is intriguing as it is starting to extend findings from recent breathwork research that intensive breathing practices may yield altered states of consciousness that individuals describe in ways analogous to psychedelic compounds, and under brain-imaging conditions. These findings are important because such altered subjective experiences may be harnessed to improve mental health, and an accessible nonpharmacological route such as breathwork could prove invaluable for many.

"We should note that the study was uncontrolled and the sample was made up of experienced practitioners, so replication of this in breathwork-naïve participants using a randomized controlled design will help determine whether these findings can translate more widely and produce therapeutic benefit."

Fincham was not involved in this study; this is an independent comment.

David Nutt (a professor at Imperial College, London), who was also not involved in this study, said, "Breathwork is a nonpharmacological bridge to our research into psychedelics, so research that helps us understand how it functions is welcome."

Key medical concepts

Default Mode NetworkMagnetic Resonance Imaging

Clinical categories

NeurologyPsychology & Mental health Provided by European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Who's behind this story?

Gaby Clark

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