This research article examines ‘high-ventilation breathwork’ (HVB) in detail over its many incarnations. It is therefore much more specific to the forms of breathwork widely seen as promoting a ‘shift in consciousness’, beyond simple physiological regulation.
The article groups certain Yogic Kriya techniques, Wim Hofs work and various styles of conscious connected breathwork under the HVB title but goes on to explore their differences and relationships to each other. There are some useful tables of features arising from this comparison.
Physiological effects are examined in some detail, particulary around brain chemistry. Focus is given to perceived risks of HVB and theorised contra-indications along the lines to be expected from adopting a largely biomedical perspective.
Here are the publication details:
High ventilation breathwork practices: An overview of their effects, mechanisms, and considerations for clinical applications.
Guy W. Fincham, Amy Kartar, Malin V. Uthaug, Brittany Anderson, Lottie Hall, Yoko Nagai, Hugo Critchley, Alessandro Colasanti
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Volume 155, December 2023, 105453
Accessed vis this link April 2025: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763423004220