Science Confirms What Practitioners Have Known for a Long Time
For millennia, spiritual and shamanic traditions have used breath as a tool for transforming consciousness. Today, modern science is beginning to catch up with this ancestral wisdom. A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that high-ventilation breathwork (HVB), when combined with music, can induce altered states of consciousness comparable to those produced by psychedelic substances—while reducing negative emotions and fostering a sense of wholeness and unity.
For holotropic breathwork practitioners, these findings come as no surprise. However, they offer valuable scientific validation and open the door to broader recognition of the benefits of these practices.
Key Findings of the Study
1. Altered States of Consciousness Without Substances
The study, conducted by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the United Kingdom, showed that sessions of 20 to 30 minutes of rapid, continuous cyclical breathing accompanied by music are sufficient to induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs). These states are characterized by:
A sense of unity and dissolution of personal boundaries
A marked reduction in negative emotions such as fear and anxiety
Experiences of positive depersonalization, perceived as liberating rather than destabilizing
2. Measurable Neurobiological Effects
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers observed significant changes in cerebral blood flow during and after breathwork sessions:
Decreased activity in the insula and operculum, regions associated with bodily awareness and personal space
Increased blood flow in the amygdala and hippocampus, areas involved in emotional processing and memory
A correlation between these neural changes and the intensity of mystical or psychedelic-like experiences reported by participants
3. An Accessible and Natural Therapeutic Tool
Unlike psychedelic substances, holotropic or high-ventilation breathwork carries no risk of addiction or major side effects. It is legal, low-cost, and can be practiced almost anywhere. Researchers highlight its potential to:
Treat anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress
Facilitate emotional release and reconnection with oneself
Complement traditional therapies by offering a somatic and spiritual approach
Holotropic Breathwork and Science: A Meaningful Dialogue
What the Study Confirms for Practitioners
For those who participate in holotropic breathwork workshops in Montreal, these results resonate strongly with lived experience:
The importance of music: As in holotropic sessions, music plays a key role in guiding the experience and amplifying altered states of consciousness.
Safety and accessibility: No adverse reactions were reported in the study, confirming that the practice, when properly facilitated, is safe.
The spiritual dimension: Participants described experiences of “boundlessness,” a core concept in holotropic approaches.
What Science Adds to the Conversation
The study opens exciting new avenues:
A clearer understanding of brain mechanisms: Knowing that the amygdala and hippocampus are activated makes it possible to envision targeted protocols for specific conditions.
Increased legitimacy: These findings may encourage medical institutions to integrate conscious breathing into mental health care.
Optimized protocols: By combining breathwork, music, and brain imaging, methods could be refined to maximize therapeutic benefits.
Breath as a Bridge Between Science and Spirituality
This study marks a turning point. It shows that conscious breathing is not only a spiritual practice, but also a powerful neurobiological tool. These discoveries reinforce the idea that anyone can access states of healing and awakening—without substances—simply by using the breath.
Have you experienced transformative states through breathwork? Share your experiences in the comments, or join us for a group session!
Scientific reference:
Kartar, A. A. et al. (2025). Neurobiological substrates of altered states of consciousness induced by high ventilation breathwork accompanied by music. PLOS One, 20(8), e0329411.
Upcoming workshops in Montreal:
https://montrealholotropic.com/en/upcoming-events/