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Circular breathwork induces altered states of consciousness linked to improved mental health
Medical Xpress / Communications Psychology ^ | April 28, 2025 | Justin Jackson / Martha N. Havenith et al

Posted on 05/16/2025 8:50:47 AM PDT by ConservativeMind

Researchers have found reductions in carbon dioxide saturation during circular breathwork sessions were correlated with the emergence of altered states of consciousness. Altered states resembled those reported in psychedelic experiences and were associated with improvements in psychological well-being and reductions in depressive symptoms.

These practices involve continuous, deep breathing without pauses between inhalation and exhalation, often conducted in communal settings and accompanied by emotionally evocative music.

Early studies suggest circular breathwork may alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, while enhancing self-awareness and life satisfaction.

A total of 61 participants with previous breathwork experience took part and 43 participants engaged in either Holotropic or Conscious-Connected breathwork sessions.

Mental health outcomes were assessed in a subset of participants using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale.

Biomarkers of autonomic nervous system activity and inflammation, specifically α-amylase and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), were analyzed from saliva samples collected before and after sessions.

Reductions in end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure were observed during active circular breathwork sessions compared to passive control participants. Active breathers experienced significant drops in etCO2 levels, reaching as low as 16.6 mmHg, compared to an average of 34.3 mmHg in passive breathers.

Decreases in carbon dioxide levels correlated with deeper altered states of consciousness, measured both through real-time hand signal ratings and post-session questionnaires.

Psychological well-being scores improved one week after the session among the subset (n=20) of active breathers with complete responses.

Biomarker analyses showed that salivary alpha-amylase concentrations decreased after breathwork sessions, suggesting reduced sympathetic nervous system activity, while levels of interleukin-1 beta increased, indicating a transient activation of inflammatory responses. Stronger altered state experiences were associated with smaller increases in inflammatory markers.

Results suggest that circular breathwork may offer a low-cost, non-pharmacological method for inducing altered states of consciousness that contribute to psychological healing.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:
This is something you could try at home with little effort.

A form of this is practiced by people who play wind instruments.

1 posted on 05/16/2025 8:50:47 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 05/16/2025 8:51:30 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind
"Ooooommmmm..."


3 posted on 05/16/2025 8:55:22 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Diversity is our Strength” just doesn’t carry the same message as “Death from Above”)
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To: ConservativeMind
"A form of this is practiced by people who play wind instruments."

My wind instrument only needs a plate of beans to work.

4 posted on 05/16/2025 9:05:19 AM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and His mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: ConservativeMind

These practices involve continuous, deep breathing without pauses between inhalation and exhalation, often conducted in communal settings and accompanied by emotionally evocative music.
= = =

Back in grade school, during recess some kids would gather on the lawn in a seculded area, and breath in and out, then hold our breath. The result was fainting and falling over onto the grass.

One day, xxxxx did not come in from recess. Where is xxxxx?

Still fainted, out on the lawn.

That stuff then ceased.


5 posted on 05/16/2025 9:09:34 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
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To: ConservativeMind

An excellent way to improve your mental health is to shut off the f**ing news. Even


6 posted on 05/16/2025 9:09:59 AM PDT by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
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To: Seruzawa

Watched network news back in the day, Peter Jennings was left of center but I liked his delivery. Stopped watching altogether when FreeRepublic started up. Everything after that was old-news by the time they had it on TV or the newspaper had printed a headline.


7 posted on 05/16/2025 9:18:07 AM PDT by Jolla
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To: ConservativeMind

I can’t think of a better way to improve both my physical and mental health than to be found faceplant from the wonderful psychedelic breathing excersises.


8 posted on 05/16/2025 9:23:24 AM PDT by Patriot777 ("When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.")
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To: Scrambler Bob

yep, that kind of “circular breath work” was a fad in J.H. school when i was a kid, too ...


9 posted on 05/16/2025 10:17:37 AM PDT by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: ConservativeMind

Wasn’t this previously called hyperventilating?


10 posted on 05/16/2025 10:19:33 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: ConservativeMind

It’s not psychedelic or pagan. It’s just breathing.

Athletes and sportsmen from karate guys to golfers all know the connection between breath and body. Brain is part of body and breath and timing. OoooOOOoooo.


11 posted on 05/16/2025 10:20:23 AM PDT by No.6
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To: No.6

I have a breathing technique that helps put me to sleep. Not exactly “circular” but very relaxing.

Mentally say to self while inhaling “so” and “hom” while exhaling. Forgot where I learned that, been doing it for decades.


12 posted on 05/16/2025 10:49:35 AM PDT by Veto! (Trump Is Superman)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

13 posted on 05/16/2025 10:52:47 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Politics do not make strange bedfellows, and the enemy of your enemy may still be your enemy.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Circular breathing:

https://www.healthline.com/health/circular-breathing#for-instruments


14 posted on 05/16/2025 11:11:00 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Think about it: The Supreme Court is nine lawyers appointed for life by politicians. —David Horowitz)
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To: Veto!

How long does it take you to fall asleep?

How long do you sleep for without waking?


15 posted on 05/16/2025 12:03:19 PM PDT by Az Joe (uired to.)
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To: Az Joe

Not watching the clock while going to sleep. Maybe five minutes.

I’d win prizes for sleeping if there were such things. Cat and I usually sleep 10 hours. If I get fewer than that, I might fall asleep at my desk or even at dinner table. Sometimes I wake up for a potty trip at night, usually go right back to sleep.

I go to bed late and get up late too. Noon here, just finished breakfast. Never have lunch, just breakfast around 11, dinner at 7. Actually, I’m never really hungry, cat drives me crazy insisting on her frequent meals. I call her “Grocery Girl”. Vet, who comes to my house, is bringing scale next time.


16 posted on 05/16/2025 12:17:30 PM PDT by Veto! (Trump Is Superman)
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To: ConservativeMind

I climb stairs.

It forces me to breathe hard. That breathing hard pushes you past zone 2 cardio. The hard breathing and raised heart rate is as healthy for you as the exercise.

When I breathe, I’ve found it best to take in two short breathes and one exhale. That seems to draw the most oxygen for the least effort.

The extra oxygen is what breath work is about.


17 posted on 05/16/2025 12:22:51 PM PDT by ckilmer
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To: Veto!

How old?

I’m lucky to get 4 hours straight. I guess I just don’t need a lot of sleep at 70.


18 posted on 05/16/2025 1:07:08 PM PDT by Az Joe (uired to.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Daily Cornet practice sessions count?
Wim Hof “Get high on your own supply”?
Hmmmm...

Yes. It works; but what about Hof’s breath hold?


19 posted on 05/18/2025 11:09:57 AM PDT by Chuckster (Friends don't let friends eat FARMED FISH.)
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