High ventilation breathwork as a non-pharmacological model for inducing psychedelic-like states: expert evaluations of therapeutic potential and risk
U. Lueken, Isabel Dziobek, Martha N. Havenith, M. Schild, L. Daedelow
npj Mental Health Research September 17, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-026-00246-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Exploratory survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | Mental health professionals participating in a high ventilation breathwork workshop |
| Intervention | High ventilation breathwork (HVB) |
| Topics | Breathwork |
| Key findings | Participants reported altered states comparable in intensity to those from moderate doses of serotonergic psychedelics, and rated HVB's perceived clinical potential as significantly greater than its anticipated risks. They suggested internalizing disorders as indications and psychotic, dissociative, and bipolar disorders as contraindications. Exploratory analyses indicated trait openness and emotional breakthrough predicted perceived potential. |
Abstract
High ventilation breathwork (HVB) can induce altered states of consciousness with phenomenological similarities to those reported following administration of serotonergic psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin or ayahuasca. Non-pharmacological methods capable of reliably eliciting such states may provide scalable models for investigating therapeutic mechanisms associated with psychedelic experiences while avoiding pharmacological and regulatory constraints. However, the therapeutic relevance and risk–benefit profile of HVB remain insufficiently characterized. In this exploratory study, 48 mental health professionals participated in an HVB workshop and evaluated perceived therapeutic potential, risks, and potential clinical indications. Participants reported altered states reaching intensity ranges comparable to those described in studies using moderate doses of serotonergic psychedelics. Internalizing disorders were suggested as indications, whereas psychotic, dissociative, and bipolar disorders were identified as contraindications. T-tests showed that perceived clinical potential of HVB significantly outweighed anticipated risks. Exploratory regression analyses indicated that trait openness and emotional breakthrough predicted perceived potential of HVB. HVB may represent a feasible non-pharmacological psychedelic induction paradigm warranting evaluation in controlled clinical trials.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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State of the evidence: Breathwork Supports
Participants reported altered states comparable in intensity to moderate doses of serotonergic psychedelics and rated high ventilation breathwork's perceived clinical potential as significantly greater than its anticipated risks, suggesting internalizing disorders as indications and psychotic, dissociative, and bipolar disorders as contraindications.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on breathwork, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 33
- Psychometric Evaluation of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) PLoS One August 31, 2010
- Global Street Food: la cocina de la calle Diseño interior 2009
- Emotional breakthrough and psychedelics: Validation of the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 11, 2019
- The neural basis of psychedelic action. Nature Neuroscience October 24, 2022
- Predicting Reactions to Psychedelic Drugs: A Systematic Review of States and Traits Related to Acute Drug Effects. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science March 5, 2021
and 28 more in the library