Non-ordinary states of consciousness evoked by breathwork correlate with improved heart-rate variability
Tiziano Canello, Alejandro Tlaie, Kamlesh Chalise, Marieke Schölvinck, Lorenzo Pia, Martha N. Havenith
Research Square November 21, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5483787/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Conscious-Connected Breathwork |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Breathwork |
| Key findings | Conscious-Connected Breathwork consistently triggers altered states of consciousness, increased emotional intensity, decreased HRV during the session, and increased baseline HRV afterward, with the post-session increase linked to emotional range experienced, and no significant modulation by music. |
Abstract
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. However, scientific research on breathwork is still in its infancy. This study examines the physiological and experiential effects of Conscious-Connected Breathwork (CCB). Specifically, we characterize subjective breathwork experiences using Natural Language Processing analyses of semi-structured phenomenological interviews, and relate them to changes in Heart-Rate Variability (HRV). Finally, to disentangle the effects of the breathing technique itself from context effects, we tested whether the presence of evocative music modified the impact of the session. Our findings indicate that CCB consistently triggers altered states of consciousness, accompanied by increased emotional intensity and decreased HRV during the session, but increased baseline HRV following the session. This increase was larger for subjects who experienced a wider range of emotions during the session, but was not predicted by peri-session HRV. This suggests that post-session improvements of HRV might be a product of emotional catharsis rather than purely physiological hormesis. Finally, none of these effects was significantly modulated by music, indicating that they largely rely on the breathing practice itself.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on breathwork, most cited first.