This Breathing Technique Could Help You Recover Lost Memories

In the past, psychedelics have been seen as mere drugs with no purpose beyond recreation. But in recent years, we've begun to see the benefit of some psychedelic compounds on mental health disorders like depression or PTSD. But even on a smaller scale, for well-being and problem-solving.

They can even help us process trauma by allowing the user to recall forgotten memories. The Psychedelic Medicine Association published a study detailing the effect of psychedelic drugs on human memory, where they stated the following:

"Classic psychedelics also increase the vividness of autobiographical memories and frequently stimulate the recall and/or re-experiencing of autobiographical memories, often affectively intense memories (positively or negatively valenced) and that had been avoided and/or forgotten prior to the experience."

Yet, most of these compounds are still illegal in the United States for consumption. An entry point to the healing properties of psychedelics could be simply harnessing your breath. More specifically learning how to control your breathing and using it for different goals. From relaxation to gaining more energy or decreasing our stress, there are tactics and breathing strategies that can help.

Holotropic Breathwork

"The name Holotropic means "moving toward wholeness" from the Greek "holos" whole and "trepein" moving in the direction of something."

There may be another option for those who need an entrance into "altered states" without consuming any substances. Stanislav Grof, M.D., is a psychiatrist with over sixty years of experience researching non-ordinary states of consciousness and one of the founders and chief theoreticians of transpersonal psychology.

Stan and his wife Kristina also coined the breathing technique known as Holotropic Breathwork (HB). The two describe the practice as "an innovative form of experiential psychotherapy." Converging at the intersection of meditation and psychedelics HB relies on self-awareness to address existing or buried issues.

"The theoretical framework integrates insights from modern consciousness research, anthropology, various depth psychologies, transpersonal psychology, Eastern spiritual practices, and mystical traditions of the world."

-Grof Transpersonal Training

Holotropic Breathwork has been called "meditation on steroids" because the personal material that surfaces can be overwhelming and transformative.

Tav Sparks, co-director of the Holotropic Breathwork facilitator training program, discussed in a company newsletter three ways in which a session could work with the psyche to bring about positive change:

1. it can resolve something that you were already aware of and had been working with.

2. It can bring to the surface something that you were not aware of and integrate it within the session.

3. It can give you awareness of a pattern that will require further deep personal work to resolve – either through additional Holotropic Breathwork sessions, other therapeutic methods, ongoing meditation or other practice, or all of those.

How HB is Performed

Holotropic Breathwork is performed in a group setting. With the eyes closed and back on a mat, the participant listens to music and breathes in a specific way to bring about an altered state of consciousness where hidden issues can be addressed. The breathing techniques and music are tailored to relax the body and lower inhibitions enough to slip into a different dimension of reality.

A trained facilitator will monitor the experience and provide support if needed but will offer little to no instruction.

Mapping the Mind

Memory recall is often the most powerful experience HB participants undergo. Transformation happens in what Grof calls "our biographical dimension" and our "transpersonal dimensions," or our life history from birth to the present.

Some noted reliving life from conception, in the uterus, and even the actual birthing experience itself. Within this state, it is possible to experience intense healing episodes known throughout world spiritual traditions as "psychospiritual birth-death-and-rebirth." It's almost like getting a birds-eye view of our lives, seeing the complete picture in a way we never could before.

"The transpersonal dimension includes the realms of the archetypes described by Carl Jung, as well as many other collective experiences described by world spiritual traditions, and phenomena not previously mapped by any other tradition."

-Grof Transpersonal Training

Breathers and Sitters

Breathers obviously breathe, but the sitter is there to be present for the breather. They shouldn't interfere or try to instruct either, but instead, let the breather lead the experience and emote however they feel appropriate. Both the sitters and the trainers are only there to help if needed.

Parting Words

This is a new and relatively untapped breathing technique. The movers and shakers in the psychedelic field endorse it, but there have yet to be extensive studies to validate the current findings. What is concrete is that our breath is powerful and limitless.

Learning more about the ways to harness your breath and use it to promote healthier lives is essential. It can be a beginning step to mapping our consciousness, decreasing our anxiety, and so much more.

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Disclaimer

I am not a doctor and nothing in this article should constitute as medical advice. It is purely for entertainment purposes.

Thank you so much for reading! Did you learn something new? If you liked the article please drop a like or leave a small tip it really helps me out.

Thanks again! Talk to you soon.

-RJ

Sources and Resources to Explore Further:

About Holotropic Breath Work

Psychedelic Medicine Association Study

Information on Stan Grof

MAPS

Stan Grof on the Tim Ferriss Show

The Principles of Holotropic Breathwork