Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro Breathwork can alter brain activity in ways similar to psychedelics, boosting well-being and reducing anxiety, according to new UK research.
Breathing in a certain way—at a set rhythm, with just the right intensity—can profoundly shift brain activity, producing a mental state strikingly similar to the one triggered by psychedelic substances. This isn’t an esoteric claim, but the outcome of a scientific study conducted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK, where researchers tracked the physiological and neurological responses of people practicing deep, accelerated breathing techniques, known collectively as breathwork.
According to the findings, these practices alter cerebral blood flow, affecting areas linked to emotion, memory, and body perception. Participants reported feelings of intense well-being, lower anxiety, and a sense of “oneness”—an experience that modern science increasingly recognizes within therapeutic contexts.
The results of the study
The team led by researcher Amy Amla Kartar worked with 42 participants, some remotely, others in the lab, and a group who underwent functional MRI scans. Sessions lasted between 20 and 30 minutes and were accompanied by music that moved from soothing tones to more immersive rhythms. Breathing was fast, controlled, and continuous.
What happened in the brain was striking. Blood flow decreased in regions tied to body awareness, particularly the left operculum and the posterior insula. At the same time, it increased in areas such as the right amygdala and the anterior hippocampus, crucial for processing emotions and memories.
These changes are reminiscent of brain patterns observed in people taking psilocybin, according to earlier studies. On the physiological side, participants showed reduced heart rate variability—a marker associated with sympathetic nervous system activation. In simple terms, the body entered a state of controlled arousal, but without physical discomfort.
The sensations described ranged from deep relaxation to a feeling of unity and dissolution of boundaries—akin to what Freud once called “Oceanic Boundlessness,” a state of altered yet positive consciousness.
Breathwork as a natural tool
Dr. Alessandro Colossanti, who coordinated the neuroscientific side of the project, explained that breathwork acts as a natural form of neuromodulation—an accessible, non-invasive way to influence the nervous system.
Throughout the study, no adverse effects were reported. Many participants instead described a sense of relief and emotional balance. Performed in a guided, safe setting, this style of breathing could become a valuable option for those dealing with anxiety, chronic stress, or difficulty managing emotions—whether as an alternative or a complement to more structured therapeutic programs.
One detail is worth noting: music alone did not produce the same effects. It was the synergy between accelerated breathing and evocative soundscapes that generated the observed changes. The authors stress that more research with larger, controlled groups will be needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms, as well as music’s exact role in modulating emotion.
Source: Plos One
