Neurobiological Mechanisms of Altered States Induced by High Ventilation Breathwork
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gnabgib
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Summary
This scientific study investigates the neurobiological mechanisms behind altered states of consciousness induced by high ventilation breathwork (HVB) accompanied by music. The research demonstrates that the intensity of these altered states is proportional to cardiovascular sympathetic activation and hemodynamic changes in specific brain regions, including the left operculum/posterior insula and right amygdala/anterior hippocampus. These areas are involved in respiratory interoceptive representation and emotional memory processing, potentially explaining the therapeutic benefits of breathwork practices.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledBreathwork practices that increase ventilatory rate or depth, facilitated by music, can evoke subjective experiential states analogous to altered states of consciousness (ASCs) evoked by psychedelic substances.
The intensity of ASCs evoked by HVB was proportional to cardiovascular sympathetic activation and to haemodynamic alterations in cerebral perfusion within clusters spanning the left operculum/posterior insula and right amygdala/anterior hippocampus.
These observed regional cerebral effects may underlie pivotal mental experiences that mediate positive therapeutic outcomes of HVB.
The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the profound subjective effects of high ventilation breathwork (HVB) remain largely unknown and unexplored.
Regions implicated in respiratory interoceptive representation and the processing of emotional memories, respectively.
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