Type of research: peer-reviewed/experimental study/people
Munich, Germany— 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 imaging showed that global grey-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, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim in 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".
'Co-Coordinator, Hana Adolphi said, "Breathwork is a legal, inexpensive and non-pharmacological 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, UK) 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 which 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 for the improvement of mental health, and an accessible non-pharmacological route such a 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 randomised-controlled design will help determine whether these findings can translate more widely and produce therapeutic benefit".
Dr Fincham was not involved in this study; this is an independent comment.
Professor David Nutt (of Imperial College, London) said:
"Breathwork is a non-pharmacological bridge to our research into psychedelics, so research which helps us understand how it functions is welcome".
Professor Nutt was not involved in this study; this is an independent comment.
Note: * Cerebral blood flow: 9.81 ± 7.58 vs. 16.24 ± 4.35 ml/100g/min; t(29) = −10.69, p < .001.
