Decreased CO2 saturation during circular breathwork supports emergence of altered states of consciousness.
Martha N. Havenith, Max Leidenberger, Jelena Brasanac, Mafalda Corvacho, Inês Carmo Figueiredo, Leonie Schwarz, Malin Uthaug, Simona Rakusa, Marijan Bernardic, Liliana Vasquez-Mock, Sergio Pérez Rosal, Robin Carhart-Harris, Stefan M. Gold, Henrik Jungaberle, Andrea Jungaberle
Commun Psychol April 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-025-00247-0 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAltered states of consciousness (ASCs) similar to those induced by psychedelics can be achieved through circular breathwork, a non-pharmacological practice. During breathwork sessions, deliberate hyperventilation reduces end-tidal CO2 pressure, which is significantly correlated with the onset of ASCs. The depth of these ASCs predicted subsequent improvements in well-being and reductions in depressive symptoms. Two forms of breathwork, Holotropic and Conscious-Connected, produced highly similar outcomes. The findings identify physiological conditions for ASCs outside of drug use, suggesting breathwork's potential as an accessible psychotherapeutic tool.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Conscious-Connected breathwork |
| Topics | Breathwork Meditation |
| Keywords | Consciousness Physiology Neuroscience |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key finding | A reduction in end-tidal CO2 pressure due to deliberate hyperventilation is significantly correlated to altered states of consciousness onset, and the depth of these states predicted improved well-being and reduced depressive symptoms. |
Abstract
Abstract Altered states of consciousness (ASCs), induced e.g. during psychedelic-assisted therapy, show potential to treat prevalent mental health disorders like depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, access to such treatments is restricted by legal, medical, and financial barriers. Circular breathwork may present a non-pharmacological and hence more accessible alternative to engage similar therapeutic processes. Scientific studies of breathwork are only just emerging and its physiological and psychological mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we track physiological and experiential dynamics throughout a breathwork session, comparing two forms of breathwork: Holotropic and Conscious-Connected breathwork. We show that a reduction in end-tidal CO 2 pressure due to deliberate hyperventilation is significantly correlated to ASC onset ( r = -0.46; p < 0.001). Based on standard questionnaires (MEQ-30 and 11-DASC), the ASCs evoked by breathwork resembled those produced by psychedelics across several experiential domains such as ego dissolution, and their depth predicted psychological and physiological follow-on effects, including improved well-being and reduced depressive symptoms. Further analysis showed that different breathwork approaches produced highly similar outcomes. Our findings identify physiological boundary conditions for ASCs to arise in a non-pharmacological context, shedding light on the functional mechanisms of breathwork as well as its potential as a psychotherapeutic tool.