Physiological Changes and Health Impacts

Altered states are accompanied by measurable shifts across multiple biological systems

Cardiovascular

Heart rate and blood pressure typically rise with psychedelics or breathwork and decrease with meditation.

Respiratory

Ventilation changes during breathwork correlate with the depth of altered experience.

Neuroendocrine

Cortisol levels often drop, while oxytocin spikes during MDMA use or loving-kindness meditation.

Neuroplasticity

Increases in BDNF, synaptic density, and structural brain connectivity are observed across several ASC modalities.

Mental Health

Controlled studies show sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction, often exceeding traditional interventions.

Personality and Well-Being

Post-ASC increases in openness, emotional resilience, and life satisfaction are consistently reported.

Physical Health

Enhanced immune function, pain relief, and sleep quality are common outcomes.

Risks: ASCs can occasionally evoke challenging psychological experiences, transient anxiety, or in rare cases, persistent psychosis in predisposed individuals. Physiological risks include cardiovascular strain and syncope during intense breathwork. Proper screening, preparation, and integration are essential to ensure safety and therapeutic value.

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References

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5. Herzog, R.; Mediano, P. A. M.; Rosas, F. E.; Lodder, P.; Carhart-Harris, R.; Perl, Y. S.; Tagliazucchi, E.; Cofre, R. A whole-brain model of the neural entropy increase elicited by psychedelic drugs. Sci. Rep. 2023, 13 (1), 6244. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32649-7 From NLM Medline.

6. Carhart-Harris, R. L.; Goodwin, G. M. The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017, 42 (11), 2105-2113. DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.84 From NLM Medline.

7. Greco, A.; Gallitto, G.; D'Alessandro, M.; Rastelli, C. Increased Entropic Brain Dynamics during DeepDream-Induced Altered Perceptual Phenomenology. Entropy (Basel) 2021, 23 (7). DOI: 10.3390/e23070839 From NLM PubMed-not-MEDLINE.