Zugs

Okay so if I've studied this correctly, Co2 is a by product created through the chemical reactions of cells in the body that is eliminated through breath. Co2 is vital as it regulates the acidity of blood. Acidity and alkalinity levels within the body at proper levels equal a balanced and optimized body and these Acidity and alkalinity levels are measured and referred to as "pH". So CO2 reacts with water to form H2CO3 (carbonic acid), but carbonic acid is usually in the ionized state which forms a hydrogen ion and a bicarbonate ion (HCO3-), which I'm assuming means the Hydrogen ion gains a proton and the bicarbonate ion receives an electron. There is a lot of bicarbonate in the body, both on a blood level and a between cell level. As there is so much bicarbonate in the body, it will take time for the ion to both decrease or increase in size due to changes in the amount of carbon dioxide in the body. Normally, all carbon dioxide is removed from the body when one exhales. When the volumes of air one breaths in and out go above what is considered the norm (as in Hyperventilating), more carbon dioxide is removed which effectively lowers the pressure of carbon dioxide in the body (Line from the link: "whereby carbonic acid changes back to into water and carbon dioxide, eventually resulting in a new equilibrium between bicarbonate ion and carbon dioxide"). Meaning the body does not have enough time to regulate the levels of bicarbonate. Thus, when you lower the amount of Co2 in the body you also lower the pressure of carbon dioxide which would create a "new" balance between bicarbonate and Co2. With the body experiencing a quick decrease in the pressure of Co2, the pH levels in the body increase because the amount of bicarbonate is not being released at the same rate. Which is referred to as “alkalosis”. Assuming that is all correct, I am with you to this point. But I think the same question @universe mentioned is still on the table. That being, "is holotropic breathing the same as hyperventilation?". As if all the above is going on with Hyperventialtion, does the same happen with Holotropic, Shamanic (etc) Breathwork? Edit: I would assume if you are changing the pressure of Co2, any change in breath (at least rapid breath) would still be considered Hyperventilating correct? Which would mean Holotropic, Shamanic (etc) Breathwork would all have the same risks as Hyperventilation? But if we're looking at Hyperventilation as a static increase in breath resulting in all it does, could Holotropic, Shamanic (etc) Breathwork at a different pace not have the same risks? As in, doing a type of breathwork that would not be lowering the pressure of Co2 to such a degree that it would be considered Hyperventilation. Which I guess goes back to the question of "is holotropic breathing the same as hyperventilation?"

So I've done Holotropic/Shamanic Breathing a few times now (have only done it to the point of losing feeling in arms face etc and not to altered states). I am basically doing it instead of doing Psychedelics as more of an entry point into alter states as I have to deal with a lot of issues before I make that leap. The idea being that I would have more control (to a point) when doing breathwork vs taking a Psychedelic, especially at the start of this journey. Anyway, I have a few questions I would like to ask when it comes to this. Am I right in thinking that Holotropic/Shamanic Breathing is pretty much just Hyperventilation? Or does Holotropic/Shamanic Breathing differ in some way to Hyperventilation? I know that the Wim Hof method for example says that you're actually increasing the oxygen levels in your blood vs depleting them but as far as I know, you're still hyperventilating during a session so I'm not sure whether to take that as a false promise (no disrespect meant) or as my own lack of understanding. And isn't Hyperventilation the depletion of Co2 and not the depletion of oxygen? If that is correct, if you're decreasing Co2, you're increasing Oxygen, which is still the same problem, just with people not understanding what Hyperventilation is when the argument of Oxygen depletion comes in. And if Holotropic/Shamanic Breathing is just Hyperventilation, could Hyperventilation itself just be misunderstood? As in if a Scientist/Doctor finds out that Hyperventilation could cause you to pass out for example (among other things), they would logically conclude you shouldn't do it. But then the question becomes what happens when you move past those notions and perceived understandings and explore further? Basically I'm just wondering if Holotropic/Shamanic Breathing is relatively safe or not and if by doing it I'm killing off my brain cells. Although I would like to clarify some of the things mentioned above.