Combining breathwork with psilocybin -- practices and experiences
287 replies · Integration
I've been experimenting with breathwork (holotropic-style and box breathing) both during psilocybin sessions and in integration. The synergy is real -- some of the deepest parts of sessions have come from intentional breathing. Anyone else with experience here?
Box breathing during difficult passages has become essential to my practice. 4-7-8 breathing specifically: when anxiety spikes, slow deliberate breathing gives the nervous system something to do that isn't amplifying the fear. The effect is rapid -- usually within 2-3 breath cycles I notice a meaningful reduction in panic.
Holotropic-style breathwork (rapid, deep breaths) during a session amplifies the experience significantly. I've used this intentionally to deepen a session when the material felt close but not fully accessible. Used incorrectly it can push someone into panic rather than depth. I would not recommend it without prior experience with breathwork independently.
Integration breathwork the day after a session: 10-15 minutes of slow, intentional breathing while journaling seems to help me access material from the previous day that I couldn't quite reach in ordinary consciousness. Something about the mild altered state from extended conscious breathing opens the same doors slightly.
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