Why does breathwork have contraindications?
This little summary guides you through WHY there are certain contraindications and what you can ask yourself to feel safe(r) participating in a dynamic / psychedelic breathwork session.
Many breathwork schools, such as conscious connected breath, neurodynamic breathwork or PSYCHEDELIC BREATH have a list of contraindications. Some deeper sessions like holotropic breathwork or rebirthing even have extensive application forms, stating your mental health, use of substances and physiological state. But why all of the fuzz?
Me explaining what tetany is when doing breathwork
Psychedelic breathwork, like any intense physical or psychological practice, has contraindications because of the profound effects it can have on the mind, body, and soul.
Why breathwork needs contraindications
Psychological Intensity
The experience can be emotionally and psychologically intense, potentially surfacing unresolved trauma (like in my first session), deep-seated emotions, or psychological distress. For thos of us with a history of mental health struggles, such as psychosis, severe anxiety, or PTSD, these experiences can be overwhelming or destabilizing.
Physical Strain
The fast-paced and deep breathing techniques used in psychedelic breathwork sessions can put a strain on the body. The pattern can resemble hyperventilation, which alters the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, potentially causing dizziness, lightheadedness, numbness, or tingling sensations. For people with certain medical conditions like cardiovascular issues, respiratory problems, or epilepsy, this can pose serious health risks.
Altered States of Consciousness
The altered state of consciousness achieved during psychedelic breathwork can be blissful but at the same time disorienting. I personally feel like time and space blend and my hearing goes inward, similary to hearing sound like being under water. For some of us, this can feel frightening, as there is a sense of losing control.
Feeling held and comfortable in this personal state requires a safe(r) and supportive environment, which is why you should always do dynamic breathwork with an experienced host/teacher/facilitator.
Risk of Re-traumatization
With my very personal story of being re-traumatized through breathwork (but also healed!), this one is very important to me. For individuals with a history of known and yet unknown trauma, the intense emotional release and surfacing of subconscious material can lead to re-traumatization if not properly managed and supported by experienced spaceholders. If you are a sensitive soul like me, make sure you find a practitioner who you feel comfortable with (personality, voice, guidance) and is further trauma-educated and knows how to hold space for trauma that comes up.
Lack of Control
During psychedelic breathwork, you might feel a loss of control over your thoughts and emotions. We are going deep and those corners of our subconscious can be uncomfortable to look at. This can be distressing, especially for those not accustomed to or expecting such intense experiences.
Note that you can always get out of the experience, by opening your eyes and stopping the dynamic breathing pattern. The sense of “losing control” is very mental and can be accepted.
Interactions with Medications
People on certain medications, particularly psychiatric medications, may experience adverse interactions during the heightened physiological and psychological states induced by psychedelic breathwork.
Within my teacher training and years of practice, these are the contraindications for longer dynamic sessions: pregnancy, epilepsy, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, high inner eye pressure, detached retina, clinical anxiety or panic attacks, psychosis, a history of stroke, recent surgery (wounds, broken bones still healing).
