{"id":12621,"date":"2023-11-13T12:54:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T11:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evolute-institute.com\/?p=12621"},"modified":"2025-11-21T08:23:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T07:23:45","slug":"vejrtraekning-vs-psykedelika","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evolute-institute.com\/da\/psychedelics\/breathwork-vs-psychedelics\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00c5ndedr\u00e6tsarbejde vs. psykedelika i personlig transformation - The Journey Within"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDmitrij Achelrod PhD\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDr. Dmitrij Achelrod (PhD) is passionate about advancing human and planetary well-being. With an extensive background in healthcare and data science, Dmitrij has pioneered AI-powered solutions at high-growth tech startups, served on advisory boards in digital therapeutics companies, and co-founded Evolute Institute to cultivate wisdom in leadership circles.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Contributing Author
Christopher Kabakis<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDmitrij Achelrod PhD\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDr. Dmitrij Achelrod (PhD) is passionate about advancing human and planetary well-being. With an extensive background in healthcare and data science, Dmitrij has pioneered AI-powered solutions at high-growth tech startups, served on advisory boards in digital therapeutics companies, and co-founded Evolute Institute to cultivate wisdom in leadership circles.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Contributing Author
Christopher Kabakis<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative therapies and practices for personal growth and healing. Two powerful modalities that have captured the attention of seekers on the path to self-discovery are breathwork and psychedelics, particularly in the context of group retreats. These two approaches offer unique avenues for exploring the depths of one’s consciousness, potentially facilitating profound personal transformation. In this article, we will compare and contrast breathwork and psychedelics, examining when each might be indicated and how they can complement each other, particularly in a group retreat setting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breathwork \u2013 Breathing towards Wholeness<\/h2>\n

We begin life with our first inhale, and end it with our last exhale. We breathe around 18,000 times a day, often even without consciously noticing it. We can survive 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, but only three minutes without breathing. It wouldn\u2019t be exaggerated to claim that the breath is the fuel for our life, the most vital source of our physical survival. No wonder the study and mastery of breath has always attracted our attention: Breathwork, in its various forms, has been utilized across cultures and traditions for centuries as a means of achieving altered states of consciousness, inner healing, and spiritual awakening. For example, in the millennia-old yogic tradition, Pranayama breathing techniques were designed to master the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind, and emotions. In more recent times, holotropic breathwork, developed by psychiatrist Dr. Stanislav Grof and his late wife Christina as a substitute for LSD when it became illegal at the end of the 1960s, is a specific form of breathwork that has re-gained popularity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breathwork and similar foundational methods, like the one developed by Leonard Orr, involve controlled and rhythmic breathing patterns that can induce altered states of consciousness. Participants often lie down, close their eyes, and focus on their breath, which is intentionally accelerated and usually accompanied by invigorating music. Instead of pausing after an inhale or an exhale like in regular breathing, fast, strong inhales and fast exhales alternate<\/span> without pause. Within as little as 15 minutes, this process of accelerated and deeper breathing can lead to a variety of experiences, including intense emotional releases, vivid imagery, spiritual or mystical experiences and a sense of expanded awareness. In Grof\u2019s work, hundreds of accounts of people reliving past memories are reported, in particular early childhood and even one\u2019s own birth (see Grof\u2019s theory of the \u201cperinatal matrix\u201d.). Holotropic breathwork has helped Grof lay the foundations for much of what we today know about the field of Transpersonal Psychology. Interestingly, Leonard Orr independently developed his breathing method around the same time as Grof and called it \u201cRebirthing Breathwork\u201d – again hinting at the fact that birth (and even death) can be re-experienced during breathwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What causes these astounding reactions and altered states of consciousness?<\/h2>\n

There are numerous breathing techniques besides the one developed by Stan Grof, like Wim Hof breathing, conscious-connected breathing, shamanic breathwork, neurodynamic breathing, biodynamic breathwork. Regardless of all these versatile names and their slightly differing inhalation and exhalation techniques \/ belief systems \/ frameworks \/ settings, their effect on our bodies are almost the same. There are several <\/span>physiological shifts happening when you are engaging in deep and circular breathwork. The rapid and deep breathing increases oxygen levels in the blood while decreasing carbon dioxide levels. This usually leads to changes in the blood’s pH level, making it more alkaline (or less acidic). Consequently, the change in blood gases is believed to influence brain activity. The decreased carbon dioxide levels can lead to a constriction of blood vessels in the brain, entailing reduced blood flow particularly to the cortex and frontal cortical regions. The latter region is associated with cognitive and meta-cognitive filtering of one\u2019s experience – so breathwork might down-regulate our \u201crational minds\u201d temporarily, allowing other parts of our brain to gain more dominance in our mental processing. A nerdy side note: while a lot of breathwork providers claim that accelerated breathwork tunes down the Default Mode Network (DMN) – a brain region that became famous for \u201chosting our Egos\u201d and that can be temporarily deactivated by psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms – there is no scientific evidence yet for that claim.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, intense breathing can activate the sympathetic nervous system, the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, increasing heart rate, heightening alertness, and pushing energy levels. The physical exertion and controlled hyperventilation can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which may contribute to a feeling of euphoria or well-being. Following the intense breathing session, there’s often a period of relaxation and stillness. Here, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, responsible for rest and digestion, helping to balance the earlier sympathetic activation.<\/span><\/p>\n

On a <\/span>psychological level, the key principle behind breathwork is the belief that the psyche contains the potential for healing and transformation, and that altered states of consciousness can access this potential by lowering the holding capacity of the rational mind (the \u201cchief executive officer\u201d). When the CEO is disabled, voices, emotions and energies from the body and the emotional parts of the brain can come to the surface, often in a cathartic manner. This surfacing, previously unprocessed material or movement impulses (including, for example, trembling, intense shaking, shouting) can be processed, worked through and eventually be let go off. We become whole again by integrating into our body-mind systems what has been suppressed and ostracized from our conscious awareness.  This is why Grof named his technique that way: \u201cholotropic\u201d comes from the ancient Greek \u201cholos\u201d (=meaning \u201cwhole\u201d) and \u201ctrepein\u201d (=meaning \u201cmoving towards something\u201d), i.e. moving towards wholeness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When is Breathwork Helpful?<\/h2>\n

Breathwork is foremost a practice of leaning into \u201cnot knowing\u201d – Grof believes that the human psyche can choose the most relevant experience that we need (the experience with the most \u201cpsychodynamic pressure\u201d), but we cannot know in advance what the experience will be like. Having said that, breathwork can be beneficial in various circumstances:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Trauma Healing<\/strong>: Breathwork can help individuals process and release deeply held trauma and emotional wounds. The altered state of consciousness can allow participants to revisit past experiences and gain new perspectives on them, leading to healing and integration. Grof viewed holotropic breathing as \u201can innovative form of experiential psychotherapy” that is capable of shedding light into our deepest abysses. However, breathwork is not only about trauma. Also people without trauma can benefit from breathwork.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Self-Exploration<\/strong>: Many people turn to breathwork as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth. It can provide insights into one’s inner world, beliefs, and patterns of behavior, fostering self-awareness and personal transformation.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Stress Reduction<\/strong>: Breathwork can serve as a powerful stress-reduction technique. The deep breathing and altered states induced by breathwork can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and restore a sense of inner calm.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Spiritual Exploration<\/strong>: For those seeking a deeper connection to their spirituality, breathwork can facilitate mystical and transcendent experiences, providing a sense of unity and interconnectedness with the universe.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Can Breathwork be dangerous?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Breathwork may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with certain medical or psychological conditions. It is important to consider the following factors:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. Psychiatric Conditions<\/strong>: Individuals with severe psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, may be at risk of experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms during breathwork. It is crucial for such individuals to consult with a qualified mental health professional before attempting breathwork.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Physiological Conditions<\/strong>: Certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular issues (e.g. uncontrolled blood pressure), recent injury and surgery, or respiratory problems, may make it unsafe to engage in intensive breathwork practices. Likewise, breathwork should be avoided during pregnancy. <\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Lack of Preparation<\/strong>: Breathwork can be intense and emotionally challenging. Without proper preparation and guidance, individuals may find themselves overwhelmed or disoriented during the experience.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Lack of Integration<\/strong>: More often than not, people are not adequately taken care of after the breathwork experience. There are several factors that play a role here. For instance, due to time restrictions, breathwork organizers often do not grant enough time for the \u201clanding\u201d and integration after the breathing. Sometimes, people need hours to be in a condition stable enough to be \u201creleased into the world\u201d again. Moreover,  a large group size with too few or poorly trained facilitators can be problematic. This might result in facilitators not being able to appropriately support people individually that might have had traumas activated or are confused or emotionally shaken and in need of emotional support after (and during) the breathwork session. Also, a lack of integration on-site might leave people unsure what to make of their very profound or highly disturbing experiences. It\u2019s not advisable to attend an intense breathwork session when the conditions are not right (i.e. enough well-trained facilitators on-site \u2013 best a 1:2 facilitator-to-participant-ratio) or too little time is planned for integration (you should reserve half-day at least). <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      When these factors are taken into account, breathwork can be a very safe practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

       <\/span><\/p>\n

      Psychedelics in a Retreat Context: Exploring our Inner Cosmos <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Psychedelics, such as psilocybin from certain mushrooms or truffles, peyote, or ayahuasca, have been used for centuries in various cultural and spiritual contexts. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelics as tools for personal transformation and healing, often facilitated within the structured environment of psychedelic retreats. In Europe, the Netherlands have evolved as the epicenter of legal psilocybin-retreats.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Psychedelic retreats typically involve participants ingesting a psychedelic substance under the guidance of experienced facilitators. These retreats ideally provide a safe and supportive setting for individuals to explore their inner worlds and gain insights into their lives. The psychedelic experience often leads to profound revelations, emotional catharsis, and ineffable, mystical-type experiences that people often declare as the most profound experiences of their lives. <\/span><\/p>\n

      To learn more about the neuroscience  and history of psychedelics, go here:<\/span><\/p>\n