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Lena Erdmann

4 papers in the library · 1 citation · publishing 2026

Papers

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Exploring the benefits of altered states of consciousness and reduced experiential avoidance for mental well-being: insights from a global study on high ventilation breathwork

Frontiers in Psychology July 30, 2026 Lena Erdmann, Barbara Breitenstein, Maria Badanova et al.

BackgroundResearch suggests that high ventilation breathwork (HVB) improves mental health by reducing experiential avoidance (EA) through altered states of consciousness (ASCs). The present study examined whether EA during participants’ most recent breathwork session predicted mental well-being afterward. Additionally, the study examined the relationships between EA, ASCs, emotional...

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1777341 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Breathwork Challenging experiences Emotional breakthrough Experiential avoidance +1

Side Effects of High Ventilation Breathwork: A Naturalistic Online Survey on Prevalence, Time Course, and Predictors

Open Mind May 28, 2026 Josephine Jörke, Lena Erdmann, Michael A. Rapp et al. preprint

This project investigates the safety profile of high ventilation breathwork (HVB). HVB has been shown to reliably induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs) comparable to psychedelics and has demonstrated multiple positive effects on mental health in clinical and non-clinical populations. Although HVB is regarded as generally safe when considering contraindications, intense somatic,...

DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/phx73 (opens in new tab) Consciousness Multilevel model Cognition Work physics +3

From Altered States to Well-Being: A Mechanistic Model about Acceptance and Experiential Avoidance in High Ventilation Breathwork

2026 Lena Erdmann, Josephine Jörke, Martha N. Havenith et al. 1 citation preprint

This project investigates whether high ventilation breathwork (HVB) may support mental health through psychological mechanisms that have been proposed in the psychedelic-assisted therapy literature. HVB can reliably induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs) and has been discussed as a potentially low-threshold, non-pharmacological alternative to psychedelic interventions for conditions such...

Side Effects, Benefits and Associated Mechanisms in High Ventilation Breathwork: A Naturalistic Online Survey

2026 Josephine Jörke, Lena Erdmann, Michael A. Rapp et al. preprint

High ventilation breathwork (HVB) has received growing interest as a potential therapeutic tool in the context of the psychedelic renaissance and the expanding scientific research on mind–body practices. It involves intentionally increasing the speed and/or depth of breathing and is often conducted in groups, guided by facilitators and accompanied by evocative music. HVB has been reported to...