Non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSCs), whether entered via psychedelics, breathwork, hypnosis or other means, show striking therapeutic promise by improving well-being and reducing psychopathology across diverse conditions. While the neuronal dynamics underpinning such therapeutic shifts in consciousness have to some extent been mapped, research has mainly focused on the central nervous...
bioRxiv Preprint ServerJanuary 14, 2026Muad Y. Abd El Hay, Ana Cukić, Marieke Schölvinck et al.
preprint
Psychedelic substances show promise for treating psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, but the neurobiological mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects remain poorly understood. Preclinical findings have so far been inconsistent, limiting mechanistic insights. We argue this translational gap is exacerbated by systematic disconnects between conditions thought to...
Research SquareNovember 21, 2024Tiziano Canello, Alejandro Tlaie, Kamlesh Chalise et al.
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Abstract High ventilation breathwork is a breathing practice that involves deep, accelerated breathing over a prolonged duration (> 15 minutes). This basic practice underpins a wide range of traditions, from Pranayama to Holotropic and Conscious-Connected breathwork. Anecdotal reports suggest that it can benefit physical and mental health, often by evoking altered states of consciousness....