Changes in blood flow and the brain
A recent scientific study showed that practicing intense breathing exercises may be accompanied by changes in blood flow to the brain and activity in its neural networks, along with changes in perception and sense of self, helping to understand the physiological mechanisms associated with altered states of consciousness.
The science website 'Science Alert', in a report published yesterday Sunday, stated that the study, published in the journal 'Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry', was conducted by researchers led by neuroscientist Christian Schmitz from the Central Institute of Mental Health in Germany.
Experiment methodology and participants
The study aimed to examine brain changes associated with certain breathing techniques that may lead to different states of consciousness, without using drugs or psychoactive substances. The experiment included 30 healthy adults with previous experience in practicing intense breathing exercises.
The average age of participants was around 45 years, and they practiced the circular breathing technique, which involves continuous inhalation and exhalation without regular pauses, while researchers monitored brain changes using magnetic resonance imaging.
Physiological and cognitive results
The results showed a decrease in blood flow to the brain's gray matter by approximately 45.5 percent compared to baseline levels, when the exercise reached peak intensity, coinciding with increased breathing and heart rates.
Participants reported feeling changes in perception and sense of self, along with feelings of connection or isolation. The average rating of the experience intensity was 3.47 out of four points, although researchers did not find a clear correlation between the extent of blood flow reduction and the intensity of the experiences.
Future research prospects
Researchers believe that changes in blood flow may be part of the physiological processes accompanying altered consciousness, while changes in communication between neural networks may help determine the nature of these experiences, but the precise mechanisms still require further research.
These results contribute to expanding the understanding of brain changes associated with intense breathing exercises, although determining their potential effects on mental health and their potential use in therapeutic interventions requires additional studies to evaluate their effectiveness and safety.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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