Research highlights the potential of breathwork as a healing modality. Stemming from the Greek words вЂњholosвЂќ (whole) and вЂњtrepeinвЂќ (to move toward), holotropic breathwork is believed to orient us toward the wholeness of existence and the true nature of reality.Д«ecause breathwork has the potential to evoke intense feelings and sensations-akin, in some cases, to the effects of a peak psychedelic experience-sessions should be guided by a trained facilitator to ensure a safe emotional container. This practice involves rapid breaths-or controlled, voluntary hyperventilation-designed to shift the ratio of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body. Holotropic breathwork, one of the most widely-known breathing practices, was developed by transpersonal psychologist Stanislav Grof. Through intentional, structured breathing practices, we can activate the mind-body connection, access non-ordinary states of consciousness, and release stuck emotions and stagnant energy. Breathwork is what happens when we bring our full, conscious awareness to this typically unconscious process. In this sense, ASCs hold tremendous potential for healing, creativity, and self-transformation.Д®xamples of Altered States of Consciousness BreathworkД«reathing is typically an unconscious process, requiring little thought or active effort on our part. The brain awakens to a fuller awareness of what is possible, rather than adhering solely to what is familiar. In this non-ordinary space, we have the opportunity to experience life through a different lens, and to disrupt unhelpful mental and emotional patterns. Conversely, this same individual may feel particularly connected to themselves and sensitive to their surroundings while under the influence of a psychedelic drug.ДЄltered states of consciousness offer a temporary departure from oneвЂ™s typical ways of being, thinking, and doing. For instance, an individual might be unable to identify who or where they are while in a dream state. The first-person perspective of those experiencing non-ordinary states of consciousness may demonstrate enhanced or diminished awareness, depending on the specific type of ASC.

Perception, imagery, inner speech, memory, mental functioning, higher-level thought processes, time experience, sense of self, meaning or significance of experience, and emotion are other dimensions of consciousness that may undergo short-term shifts during non-ordinary states. Habitual thought patterns are temporarily interrupted by altered states of consciousness, causing people to experience themselves and their surroundings in a different way. Other experiences that are not explicitly named within this framework, but which are commonly known to induce ASCs, include sensory deprivation conditions, trance states, spiritual possession, mystical or religious experiences, ecstatic dance, and breathwork.Д¬haracteristics of Altered States of Consciousness Spontaneous, such as dissociation caused by day-dreaming, near-death experiences, and out-of-body experiences.Pathological, such as episodes of psychosis or epilepsy.Physical and physiological, such as dreaming during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, fasting, and sex.Psychological states, such as hypnosis and meditation.Pharmacological states, induced by the consumption of psychoactive drugs.Dieter Vaitl from the Bender Institute of Neuroimaging in Germany, altered states of consciousness can be divided into the following categories: While it is common to associate altered states with the consumption of hallucinogens, there is in fact a broad spectrum of experiences that qualify as non-ordinary states of consciousness.ДЄccording to Dr. The line between ordinary and non-ordinary states is different for each individual, depending on their personal level of sensitivity. Tart defined ASCs as вЂњa temporary change in the overall pattern of subjective experienceвЂќ. The term вЂњaltered state of consciousnessвЂќ, or ASC for short, was coined by transpersonal psychologist Charles Tart in 1972. What Exactly is an вЂњAltered State of ConsciousnessвЂќ?ДЄn altered state of consciousness is any mental state in which oneвЂ™s ordinary level of wakefulness, attention, or awareness is temporarily shifted in some way.

Altered state of mind