There are a number of hyperventilation “breath work” protocols around.
These involve breathing fast for a period, then often a period of breath holding, then repeating this process.
What do we know about exhalation? It is our main way to “get rid of” carbon dioxide.
In 1986, Djarova et al studied trained subjects with either hyperventilation, or hyperventilation (~47 breaths per minute) followed by breath holds.
“A significant hormonal response after the applied experimental procedures was found for HGH (1.5- to 5.56-fold increase) and cortisol (1.5- to 2.2-fold increase). It was concluded that the increased hormonal response of HGH and cortisol is an expression of the stress reaction induced by hyperventilation and breath-holding per se or in combination.”
Generally, we see an increase in ventilatory rates with a decrease in carbon dioxide levels.
According to Dr. Ray Peat, PhD and others, carbon dioxide itself is not the “waste product” many believe it to be. It causes vasodilation and is a calmative – helping to keep us warm and relaxed (down-regulated, which decreases cortisol – results which have also been found in meditation). It also helps deliver oxygen to the tissue via the Bohr effect.
Although we can experience a “shift” in experience with hyperventilation, it is potentially due to a short term increase in cortisol, which can often have us feeling “alert” or energised.
Depending on the physiological load of people in the group (often too high already), hyperventilation makes little sense.
To acutely decrease CO2 at all would seem to be a negative outcome.
