V-041
Slow Breathing as a Neuromodulation Tool to Induce Altered States of Consciousness: Project Design and Discussion
Nicolas Ferrante1, Nerea Herrero1, Julia Carbone1, Martin Santiago2, Luis I. Brusco3, Matias Pretel1, Cecilia Forcato1
  1. Laboratorio de Sueño y Memoria, Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA)
  2. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN)
  3. Centro de Neuropsiquiatría y Neurología de la Conducta (CENECON), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires
Presenting Author:
Nicolas Ferrante
nicolasferrante43@gmail.com
Altered states of consciousness (ASC) are marked, temporary, reversible deviations in subjective experience or psychological functioning from usual waking consciousness, distinct from psychiatric disorders. Breathing is not only essential physiologically but also modulates brain oscillatory activity. Studies show that reducing breathing to ~6 breaths/min increases delta (1-4 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) power, especially in prefrontal and limbic regions, and enhances default mode network (DMN) connectivity. These changes are linked to introspection and ASC, suggesting slow breathing as a non-invasive way to modulate consciousness. This study investigates how slow breathing modulates consciousness through EEG analyses: power spectral density (PSD), complexity metrics, and functional connectivity. A within-subject design will be used with 40 healthy adults (18-50 years). Each will undergo two conditions in randomized order, two weeks apart: (1) experimental, 5 min baseline then 15 min guided slow nasal breathing at 4 breaths/min; (2) control, 5 min baseline then 15 min spontaneous breathing. EEG (32 channels, Brain Vision) and respiratory belts will monitor neural and breathing activity. Subjective ASC will be assessed with the TAS, PCI, and 11D-ASC. This study will provide evidence on slow breathing as a neuromodulation tool to modulate brain activity and induce ASC.