Here's How Breathwork Unlocks the Brain's Natural Medicine Cabinet
What if you could experience a mood lift, pain relief, better focus, and even a blissful high... all without a single pill?
Here's the wild truth backed by neuroscience: your body already produces the most powerful "drugs" on the planet—and deep, rhythmic breathing is the key to unlocking them.
This blog dives into the science behind how breathwork activates a cascade of natural neurochemicals like serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, endorphins, and even your body's own cannabis-like compounds (yes, really). You'll learn:
- Why you are the drug—and how to release your brain's built-in cocktail of calm and clarity
- How breathing patterns influence your nervous system and trigger neurotransmitter release
- The fascinating link between breath and the "runner's high" molecule, anandamide
Whether you're a science nerd, a wellness seeker, or someone just tired of relying on caffeine and cortisol to get through the day—this one's for you.
Your Neurochemical Cocktail
Breathing deep isn't just "calming"—it sends love letters to your vagus nerve, the superstar of the parasympathetic nervous system. Breathe in long and slow, and your brain thinks, "All is good," flooding with chill vibes and calming chemicals like GABA, serotonin, dopamine and even DMT, a molecule found in Ayahuasca! Here's a breakdown of the neurochemical crew available to you all via your breath!
- GABA – Your inner "off switch." Breathwork turns it up, dialing stress way down.
- Serotonin – Your mood's best friend. Meditative breathing can boost your happy hormone levels post-session.
- Dopamine – The "let's do this!" molecule. During deep breaths, dopamine surges in your brain's pleasure hub, helping you feel focused and motivated.
- Norepinephrine – Stress's tag-along buddy. Good breathing sends it packing with lower blood levels.
- Melatonin – Sleep's bestie. Want to drift to dreamland naturally? Breathe deeply before bed and watch it rise.
- Endorphins – Your built-in pain relievers. Deep or vigorous breathwork triggers these feel-good opioids.
- DMT – A molecule that can illicit some visions and altered states of consciousness.
Together, these brain chemicals are like your daily reset button—boosting clarity, calm, happiness, and even a bit of buzz.
The Unexpected X‑Factor: Anandamide — The Bliss Molecule
Let's get fascinating: anandamide (named from the Sanskrit ananda, meaning "bliss") is your brain's own THC-like molecule—yes, it attaches to the same receptors as cannabis! It's the prime candidate behind the famous runner's high, that euphoria and calm you feel after a steady cardio session.
In fact, a deep dive review found that 14 out of 17 human studies saw significant increases in endocannabinoids—notably anandamide—after even a single workout session, especially moderate-intensity aerobic exercise like a long run or bike ride (AHA Journal). Another analysis made it clear: euphoria and reduced anxiety post-exercise are tied more closely to endocannabinoids than to endorphins.
One especially compelling controlled human trial showed that a 60-minute run outdoors boosted both mood and plasma anandamide levels significantly in healthy adults—confirming for the first time in real-world conditions that the runner's high correlates with elevated endocannabinoids (MDPI).
So what does this mean for breathwork? While studies on breath-induced anandamide release are still setting up, breathing practices mimic key aspects of endurance exercise: steady, rhythmic activation of your parasympathetic system, shifting hormonal balance, and reducing stress—all info known to stimulate endocannabinoid production. It's entirely plausible that breathwork unlocks your inner bliss gland, tapping into this same chain of neurochemical effects.
In short: breathing deeply isn't just good for the chill factor—it may literally trigger your body's built-in happy pill, thanks to anandamide and the endocannabinoid system!
Ready to Experience the Benefits?
Ready to do some breathwork and literally change your state? Join us for our up-regulating and down-regulating styles of breath that are scientifically proven to get you out of your mind and into your body! It's more than just breathing—it's transformation at the cellular level. Let's breathe into that bliss together.
