Is breathwork being used as a new psychedelic?
Breathwork is being investigated as a drug-free way to explore psychedelic-like experiences. So, are we really turning to meditation to explore an altered, elevated state of mind?
Breathing exercises are usually sold as a way to chill out. Anxious? Google says take a few slow breaths, relax your shoulders, and feel your body from your feet to the tippy top of your head. But a growing area of research is exploring what happens when you do almost the opposite: breathe deeply and rapidly enough to change your state of consciousness.
Known as high-ventilation breathwork, these techniques are attracting attention for their ability to produce intense emotional experiences and a feeling of connection that some participants compare to psychedelics. The appeal is obvious in a wellness culture increasingly interested in altered states, from sound baths to sensory-deprivation tanks. Could changing the way we breathe offer another route to exploring the mind?
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology in June 2026 offers some early clues that it could explore a different state of mind in a single session of conscious-connected breathwork with body-scan meditation. The breathwork group that was studied reported stronger psychedelic-like experiences, including a positive mood and emotional breakthrough. One week later, participants also reported greater psychological insight and behavioural change than those who had practised meditation.
The researchers also note that the breathwork session included intense music and preparation for potentially unusual experiences, which could have influenced what participants felt.
So what might be happening in the body? Rapid, deep breathing can lower carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Research in 2025 has found that falling carbon dioxide levels during circular breathwork were associated with the onset of altered states of consciousness. The precise mechanisms are still being investigated, but the findings suggest these experiences are not necessarily just a case of sitting quietly and thinking hard.
Fast breathing can cause dizziness, tingling, muscle cramps and, in some circumstances, fainting. Psychedelic-like sensations may also feel unsettling rather than enlightening. High-intensity breathwork isn't something to experiment with alone, particularly if you have a medical or mental health condition, and it should be noted that you should speak to a healthcare professional first in any case.
If your aim is to manage everyday stress, you don't need to chase an altered state, and gentle and comfortable breathing can be a more accessible starting point. But while the prospect of exploring consciousness without drugs is fascinating, the evidence is still in its early stages. So don’t go breathing your way to an altered state just yet.
