NCT06916312

Comparing Effects of Intense Breathwork to Meditation on Altered States of Consciousness

Airways to Alteration: Investigating the Impact of Breathwork & Meditation on Conscious State

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Sussex · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to investigate the impact of high ventilation breathwork (HVB) and meditation on altered states of consciousness (ASCs). The study will compare the effects of a single guided HVB session to a single guided body scan meditation session. The primary aim is to explore the impact of HVB and meditation on ASCs, while secondary aims relate to mental health and wellbeing.

Detailed description

The study is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving up to 24 healthy adult participants who have prior experience with HVB. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the HVB or meditation group. The study will assess outcomes such as altered states of consciousness, mystical experiences, emotional breakthroughs, and overall wellbeing.

Conditions

• Altered States of Consciousness
• Wellbeing

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	High ventilation breathwork	Single guided conscious connected breathing session.
BEHAVIORAL	Meditation	Single guided body scan meditation session.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-17
• Primary completion: 2025-06-08
• Completion: 2025-06-16
• First posted: 2025-04-08
• Last updated: 2025-06-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom