Intensive Breathing Linked to Altered Consciousness and Brain Communication

Intensive breathwork reduces brain blood flow and alters neural communication

Intensive breathing exercises can reduce blood flow to the brain by up to 45% and alter communication between brain networks, according to a new brain-imaging study.

Intense breathing can cause an effect similar to that of psychedelics

Intense breathing can cause an effect similar to that of psychedelics — studyScientists have found that intensive breathing exercises can change the state of consciousness and reduce cerebral blood flow by about 45%. The study participants experienced...

Intensive breathing linked to altered consciousness and brain communication

Intensive breathing exercises can reduce blood flow to the brain by up to 45% and alter communication between brain networks, according to a new brain-imaging study. Participants reported experiences resembling some effects of psychedelic drugs, including altered perception, vivid mental imagery, a sense of unity and changes in self-experience. The researchers, presenting the work at the ECNP Congress in Munich, say changes in brain communication, rather than reduced blood flow alone, appear to be key to the altered state.