Breathe in a certain way, for a precise time and with the right intensity, can alter the activity of the brain in a deep way, so much so that it is to generate a mental state similar to that caused by the psychedelics. This is not an alternative theory, but the result of scientific research conducted by the Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the United Kingdom, which monitored the physiological and neurological responses of those who practice profound and accelerated breathing techniques, known as Breathwork.
According to the study, these practices can change the cerebral blood flow, influencing areas related to emotions, memory and body perception. Participants described sensations of intense well -being, reduction of anxiety and a sense of “unity” that science recognizes more and more often in therapeutic contexts.
The results of the study
The team led by the researcher Amy Amla Kartar involved 42 participants, some remotely, others in the laboratory and others still subjected to functional magnetic resonance imaging. The sessions lasted between 20 and 30 minutes and included the use of music that varied from relaxing tones to more engaging songs. Breathing was fast, controlled and continues.
During the sessions, a significant drop in blood flow to some brain areas involved in the perception of the body was observed, in particular the left operculum and the rear insula. At the same time, the flow to areas such as the right amygdala and the front hippocampus, responsible for the elaboration of emotions and memories, increased.
These brain changes are similar to those observed in people who take psilocybine, according to previous studies. Participants also showed a decrease in heart rate variability, a parameter linked to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. In practice, the body entered a state of controlled activation, but without physical discomfort.
The sensations described went to deep relaxation to a perception of unity and fusion, similar to what Sigmund Freud called “Oceanic Boundlessness”, a form of altered but positive consciousness.
Breathwork could become natural support
Dr. Alessandro Colossanti, who coordinated the neuroscientific part of the study, underlines that the breathwork is a natural tool of neuromodulation, or a practice capable of influencing the activity of the nervous system in a non -invasive way.
Throughout the study, no side effects have been reported, and many participants reported a feeling of relief and emotional well -being. This type of breathing, if performed in a guided and safe way, could represent a useful option for those suffering from anxiety, chronic stress or difficulty in managing emotions, alternatively or supporting more structured therapeutic paths.
It should be noted that music alone is not able to produce the same effects: it is the union between accelerated breathing and evocative sounds that generate the observed changes. The authors recommend further studies with larger and controlled groups, to better understand both the mechanisms involved and the role of music in the modulation of emotions.
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