HVB X MUSIC X ASC

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Here’s a bullet-point gist of the article:

Title: Neurobiological substrates of altered states of consciousness induced by high ventilation breathwork accompanied by music (Kartar et al., PLoS One, 2025)

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• Background

  • High ventilation breathwork (HVB), often accompanied by music, can induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs) resembling psychedelic experiences.

  • Popularity of HVB is growing as a non-pharmacological therapeutic tool for psychological distress.

  • Neurobiological mechanisms behind HVB-induced ASCs remain underexplored.

• Aims

  • Characterize subjective experiences of HVB across settings (remote, MRI, lab).

  • Investigate links between ASCs and:

    • Cerebral perfusion (regional cerebral blood flow; rCBF).

    • Autonomic activity (heart rate variability; HRV).

• Methods

  • Participants: Healthy, experienced HVB practitioners (n = 31 unique, 42 total sessions).

  • Settings:

    1. Remote (Zoom): at-home HVB with facilitator.

    2. MRI: pseudo-continuous ASL to assess rCBF during HVB.

    3. Lab: psychophysiology session measuring HR and HRV.

  • Measures: 5D-ASC questionnaire (esp. Oceanic Boundlessness [OBN]), PANAS-X, panic/discomfort scales.

• Key Results

  • Subjective effects:

    • HVB reduced negative affect but increased physical discomfort slightly (no panic attacks).

    • OBN was the most prominent ASC dimension, consistent across settings.

    • Intensity of OBN similar to that reported with psychedelics.

  • Neuroimaging:

    • Global CBF decreased during HVB (–30–40%).

    • Posterior insula/parietal operculum: stronger OBN correlated with greater CBF reduction.

    • Right amygdala/anterior hippocampus: stronger OBN correlated with increased CBF from start to sustained HVB.

    • Sub-dimensions (unity and bliss) specifically linked to posterior insula perfusion decreases.

  • Autonomic effects:

    • HRV decreased (sympathetic activation), with time-dependent changes.

    • Degree of HRV change tracked with OBN intensity.

• Interpretation

  • HVB evokes ASCs through interaction of:

    • Interoceptive integration regions (insula/operculum).

    • Emotion–memory circuitry (amygdala/hippocampus).

  • Suggests parallels with psychedelic-induced neural alterations.

  • “Set and setting” influence intensity (lab > remote > MRI).

• Limitations

  • Small sample size, experienced practitioners only.

  • No music-only control; music considered integral to HVB.

  • Physiological noise and arterial transit artifacts limited neuroimaging precision.

• Conclusion

  • HVB-induced ASCs are associated with cardiovascular sympathetic activation and specific haemodynamic changes in brain regions mediating interoception, emotional memory, and self-representation.

  • These mechanisms may underpin HVB’s therapeutic potential as a non-drug route to ASC-based interventions.

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Would you like me to also create a one-page visual summary (diagram/infographic style) highlighting the neurobiological pathways (insula, amygdala–hippocampus, autonomic system) for easier teaching or presentation?

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