Breathe in, breathe out: People are tripping out on breathwork — but it's not for everyone

Salon - Apr 23rd, 2025

Brendan Leier, an ethicist from the University of Alberta, experienced a profound altered state of consciousness during his first holotropic breathwork session, a high-intensity breathing technique. This method, developed in the 1970s by former LSD researchers Stansislav and Christina Grof, is gaining popularity as an accessible alternative to psychedelic drugs, which remain largely illegal despite their potential therapeutic benefits. Holotropic breathwork is known to induce transcendent experiences similar to those achieved with psychedelics, but it comes with potential physical risks and should be practiced with caution.

The surge in interest in breathwork parallels the growing acceptance and interest in psychedelics as possible treatments for mental health issues. However, the physiological mechanisms behind these experiences remain poorly understood, with limited research available. Critics warn of the potential for negative experiences, such as panic attacks, especially for individuals with certain medical conditions. As breathwork gains traction, the importance of professional guidance and safety measures is emphasized, drawing parallels to the structured environments required for psychedelic therapy. This trend reflects a broader shift in exploring alternative healing practices and the body's untapped potential for self-healing.

Mental Health Alternative Medicine Psychedelics Brendan Leier Stanislav Grof Christina Grof Holotropic Breathwork High Ventilation Breathing

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a generally accurate and engaging exploration of holotropic breathwork, highlighting its potential benefits and risks. It effectively combines personal anecdotes with expert insights and scientific findings, making the topic accessible to a broad audience. However, the article could improve in transparency and source quality by providing more detailed citations and addressing potential biases. While it offers a balanced view, there is a slight emphasis on the positive aspects of breathwork, with limited critical examination of its risks and controversies. Overall, the article is timely and relevant, contributing to ongoing discussions about alternative mental health therapies and their accessibility compared to traditional treatments. Its potential impact is primarily in raising awareness and encouraging further exploration of the topic, rather than driving significant policy or societal changes.

Accuracy

The story presents a generally accurate depiction of holotropic breathwork and its effects, drawing on both scientific studies and expert opinions. The physiological effects of hyperventilation, such as altered states of consciousness and changes in blood pH, are well-documented and supported by experts cited in the article. However, some claims, like the exact intensity comparison between breathwork and psychedelics, are based on unpublished data, which limits verifiability. Additionally, the article mentions potential risks and contraindications accurately, aligning with medical guidelines, though it lacks in-depth exploration of the rare risks like blood vessel rupture. Overall, the story is mostly accurate but could benefit from more detailed source citations and verification of less common claims.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view of holotropic breathwork, discussing both its potential benefits and risks. It includes perspectives from practitioners, researchers, and users, which helps present a rounded view. However, the story leans slightly towards highlighting the positive experiences and therapeutic potential of breathwork, with less emphasis on the negative experiences and contraindications. The inclusion of expert opinions from both neuroscientists and breathwork practitioners adds credibility, but the article could improve by providing more critical viewpoints or case studies of adverse effects to ensure a fully balanced representation.

Clarity

The article is written in clear and accessible language, making complex topics like breathwork and its physiological effects understandable to a general audience. The structure is logical, with a coherent flow from personal anecdotes to expert insights and scientific explanations. The tone remains neutral, avoiding sensationalism, which aids in maintaining clarity. However, some sections, particularly those discussing scientific mechanisms, could benefit from clearer explanations or simplifications to enhance comprehension for readers unfamiliar with the subject.

Source quality

The sources used in the article are generally credible, including neuroscientists and researchers with expertise in breathwork and altered states of consciousness. The article cites studies and expert opinions to support its claims, although some references, such as unpublished data, reduce the overall reliability. The lack of direct citations for certain claims, like the exact physiological mechanisms or intensity comparisons, slightly undermines the source quality. Nonetheless, the article largely relies on authoritative voices and aligns with existing literature on the topic, which bolsters its credibility.

Transparency

The article is somewhat transparent about the sources and methodology behind its claims, but there is room for improvement. While it mentions studies and expert interviews, it does not provide detailed citations or links to specific research papers, which would enhance transparency. The author's background and potential biases are not disclosed, and there is limited discussion on the limitations of the studies mentioned. Greater transparency regarding the basis for certain claims, especially those involving unpublished data or anecdotal experiences, would improve the article's credibility.