Holotropic breathing (OH) is a technique that allows you to achieve mental states similar to those obtained through the use of psychedelic substances. Medicine is skeptical about this form of therapy, which carries a number of risks.

Contents:

    1. Holotropic breathing - what is it?
    2. Holotropic breathing - benefits
    3. Holotropic breathing - threats
    4. Holotropic breathing - a scientific critique

Holotropic breathingis a psychotherapeutic technique developed by a Czech psychologist - Stanisław Grof. According to him, a specialized method of breathing makes it possible to get rid of traumas, even from early childhood, helps to regain peace, enter separate states of consciousness and thus take on the role of, among others, in various objects and animals.

It is worth knowing, however, that although the psychologist emphasizes that this way of breathing has many benefits, there are many OH skeptics who point to a number of threats, including, for example, hypocarbia.

It also doesn't help that holotropic breathing is also a way of inducing paranormal phenomena in occult practices.

Read also: Breathing techniques to overcome stress

Holotropic breathing - what is it?

Holotropic breathing is where you breathe in deeply and forcefully and exhale a lot of air. In this method, inhalations and exhalations are very quick and are usually done in a lying position with eyes closed or blindfolded.

Breathing therapy is usually accompanied by loud music that allows you to enter a trance. The session usually lasts about an hour (sometimes longer, even up to 3 hours), often takes place in large groups, where each participant has a person next to him who watches over him.

As time goes on, the music slows down and gradually fades out. After such a session, participants often share their experiences and describe specifically what they experienced.

Holotropic breathing - benefits

According to advocates of holotropic breathing, this method has many benefits. The main one is that rapid breathing enables deeper contact withemotions, which translates, for example, into exposing also repressed emotions.

During the session, participants sigh, cry, scream, thrash, etc., which, as they emphasize, allows the release of long-hidden emotions. Thus, according to adherents, such unrestrained expression enables changes in states of consciousness that help reveal the content hidden in the psyche.

Thanks to OH, they supposedly deepen their spirituality, get rid of emotional burdens, deal with traumas, which in turn effectively relaxes and reduces anxiety.

Proponents of holotropic breathing believe that the method works perfectly for people with depression, in the treatment of PTSD post-traumatic stress, and in alleviating some pain conditions. In addition, it helps to unlock energy, discover yourself and increase the level of self-confidence.

Holotropic breathing - threats

Please note that it is not recommended to perform a holotropic breathing session alone, as it may result in conditions that may be dangerous for people staying at home alone. Speech here, among others about convulsions, hallucinations, hysteria, etc.

Additionally, skeptics of this method emphasize that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the body increases during intense and rapid breathing, which causes a sudden increase in pressure and, consequently, disturbances in metabolism. In such situations, there is a risk of serious damage to the central nervous system.

Additionally, adverse symptoms may appear, such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, weakness, and even loss of consciousness. Due to the specific way of breathing, there are also some contraindications to using this method.

Holotropic breathing should not be decided by patients with asthma, cardiovascular diseases, neurosis, glaucoma, psycho-emotional disorders, as well as pregnant, surgical or injured women.

Holotropic breathing - a scientific critique

The skeptics of holotropic breathing emphasize the fact that Dr. Stanisław Grof initially conducted psychedelic psychotherapy, i.e. with the use of LSD during the session. When it was forbidden by law, he invented a new technique that draws on, among other things, from the old shamanic methods.

It is also important that OH is often used in occult practices to cause paranormal phenomena, including, for example, out-of-body travel (exteriorization).

Another objection is that OH uses the phenomenon of hyperventilation, under the influence of which the blood composition changes, and thus it negatively affects the work of the brain and the whole organism.

Category:

Psychology