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The Self in Motion: What We Learned from an Hour‑Long Altered State - A NEW STUDY

3 August 2026

BM‑Science researchers published a new study "Currents of the self: Neurophenomenological fluidity of the three components of selfhood in prolonged altered states of consciousness" in the Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice.

Using Conscious Connected Breathing (CCB) as a non‑pharmacological induction method for altered states, researchers tracked the temporal dynamics of three core aspects of Selfhood [Self (witnessing agency), Me (embodied emotional agency), and I (reflective/narrative agency)] across an hour‑long altered state. They combined EEG operational synchrony, nine psychometric scales, and detailed introspective reports from experienced breathwork practitioners.

The most interesting findings are:

  • CCB reliably induced a sustained altered state of consciousness, including ego dissolution, disembodiment, and strong unity/bliss and mystical experiences.
  • All three Selfhood components showed reduced functional integrity, especially during the CHARGE phase; yet their proportional configuration remained surprisingly stable.
  • Participants who reached a complete mystical experience displayed a distinct profile: dissolution of “Self” and “Me,” paired with an amplification of “I.”
  • Phenomenologically, CCB‑induced states showed notable similarity to those elicited by psilocybin; an intriguing parallel given the non‑pharmacological nature of the induction method.