A recent study discovered that engaging in high-ventilation breathing exercises while listening to music is linked to experiencing blissful states and diminishing negative emotions. This practice is also associated with increased blood flow to brain areas responsible for processing emotions.
Kartar et al. We propose that circuits supporting the integration of mutual acceptoral expressions and the processing of emotional memory are potential neurobiological substrates for HVB-induced ASCs. Image credit: Ram Jain.
The use of breathing exercises as a method for alleviating psychological distress is rapidly gaining traction. Breathing techniques that enhance ventilation rate or depth in conjunction with music can lead to altered states of consciousness (ASC) akin to those induced by psychedelic substances.
High ventilation breathing (HVB) may present fewer legal and ethical challenges for widespread use in clinical settings, offering a non-pharmaceutical alternative.
Nevertheless, the neurobiological mechanisms and subjective experiences linked to ASCs resulting from HVB have not been thoroughly explored.
To address this knowledge deficiency, Dr. Amy Amra Kartal from the University of Sussex and her team characterized ASCs triggered by HVB conducted by experienced practitioners, analyzing self-reported data from 15 participants online, and 8 to 19 individuals in a lab setting.
Their study included 20-30 minute sessions of uninterrupted circular breathing paired with music, followed by various surveys within 30 minutes post-session.
Findings indicated that the intensity of ASCs from HVB correlates with cardiovascular sympathetic activation and shows signs of a potential stress response, evidenced by decreased heart rate variability.
Moreover, HVB-induced ASCs were related to a significant reduction in blood flow to specific brain areas, including the left surgery and posterior island, which are involved in representing the body’s internal state, including respiration.
Interestingly, despite an overall reduction in cerebral blood flow during HVB, there were increases noted in the right amygdala and anterior hippocampus—regions pertinent to emotional memory processing.
These alterations in blood flow bear a resemblance to psychedelic experiences, suggesting that such changes may underlie the beneficial effects of this breathing technique.
Throughout all experimental conditions, participants reported a decrease in fear and negative emotions without experiencing side effects.
In various participant settings, HVB indeed reinforced the marine infinity (OBN)-controlled ASC, a concept introduced by Freud in 1920, encapsulating a range of experiences such as spiritual insights, feelings of bliss, positive emotional shifts, and a sense of unity.
OBN is regarded as a fundamental element of ASCs generated by psychedelic substances like psilocybin.
The researchers emphasize that their findings are pioneering and exploratory, advocating for future studies with larger sample sizes and control groups to discern the effects of music on brain activity.
Despite certain limitations, these results offer valuable insights into HVB and its potential therapeutic applications.
“Our research represents the first use of neuroimaging to map the neurophysiological changes occurring during respiratory work,” the team stated.
“Key findings indicate that breathing exercises elicit profound psychedelic states.”
“We believe these conditions are tied to shifts in function in specific brain areas involved in self-awareness, fear, and emotional memory processing.”
“We discovered that deeper alterations in blood flow in certain brain regions correspond to stronger sensations of unity, bliss, and emotional release referred to as ‘marine boundaries.’ ”
Survey results published online in the journal on August 27, 2025 PLOS 1.
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Kartar et al. 2025. Neurobiological substrates of altered states of consciousness induced by high ventilator respiratory practices with music. PLOS 1 20(8): E0329411; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329411
Source: www.sci.news
