Comparing Effects of Intense Breathwork to Meditation on Altered States of Consciousness (A2A)

University of Sussex

Status

Completed

Conditions

Altered States of Consciousness

Wellbeing

Treatments

Behavioral: High ventilation breathwork

Behavioral: Meditation

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06916312

ER/GF221/9

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate the impact of high ventilation breathwork (HVB) and meditation on altered states of consciousness (ASCs). The study will compare the effects of a single guided HVB session to a single guided body scan meditation session. The primary aim is to explore the impact of HVB and meditation on ASCs, while secondary aims relate to mental health and wellbeing.

Full description

The study is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving up to 24 healthy adult participants who have prior experience with HVB. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the HVB or meditation group. The study will assess outcomes such as altered states of consciousness, mystical experiences, emotional breakthroughs, and overall wellbeing.

Enrollment

24 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 65 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Healthy adults in Brighton and the surrounding area
Prior experience practising high ventilation breathwork in the form of conscious connected breathing
No history of adverse events during such prior breathwork sessions.

Exclusion criteria

History of hypotension
Hypertension
Respiratory or cardiovascular problems
Fainting or syncope
Epilepsy or seizures
Panic disorder or panic attacks
Cerebral aneurysm
Pregnancy (and possibility one might be pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding)
Breathlessness
Bradypnea
Tachypnoea
Any mental/physical issues affecting the ability to engage in breath control activities.