Neural Correlates of Non-ordinary States of Consciousness in Pranayama Practitioners: The Role of Slow Nasal Breathing
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience March 21, 2022 Andrea Zaccaro, Andrea Piarulli, Lorenza Melosini et al. 32 citations
Slow nasal breathing at 2.5 breaths per minute, as practiced in Pranayama, alters brain activity and induces a non-ordinary state of consciousness, primarily through mechanical stimulation of the olfactory epithelium rather than through vagal nerve stimulation. In 12 experienced meditators, slow nasal breathing produced slowing of EEG delta and theta activity in prefrontal regions, widespread increases in theta and high-beta connectivity, increased phase-amplitude coupling between these bands in prefrontal and posterior Default Mode Network regions, and increased small-worldness of high-beta networks. Participants reported a higher perception of being in a non-ordinary state of consciousness compared to mouth breathing at the same rate or resting state.