Introduction
The experience of a nostalgic memory being triggered by a piece of music, or the feeling of calm that comes from taking a deep breath, is something we have all likely felt.
At nehan retreats, we combine this “sound” and “breath” to support a process where participants can access and reintegrate unconscious memories that are normally inaccessible.
The methods introduced here are not merely sensory or spiritual experiences; they are practices supported by research in neuroscience and psychology.
How Music Guides Brainwave Changes and
Memory Reconsolidation
Alpha and Theta Waves—Rhythms That Open the Boundaries of Consciousness
The brain is constantly producing electrical rhythms (brainwaves).
- Alpha waves (8–13Hz) become dominant when relaxation and concentration coexist. They reduce excessive attention to the external world and deepen inner awareness.
- Theta waves (4–8Hz) appear during light sleep, deep meditation, and dreaming. It is believed that in this state, suppressed unconscious memories and emotions are more likely to surface [1].
The neuromusic used in nehan retreats is designed to enhance these alpha and theta waves.
For example, binaural beats—a technique used in research where slightly different frequencies are played to the left and right ears to generate a new rhythm inside the brain—have been reported to cause the brain to synchronize with this rhythm, enhancing alpha and theta waves [2].
Such states are also considered to lead to relaxation and improved memory processing.
When Memory ‘Rewriting’ Occurs
Memories are not immutable once consolidated; each time a memory is recalled, it is re-saved through a process called “reconsolidation,” where it is linked with new information [3].
According to research, when music is played while a memory is being recalled, the emotions associated with that event can be updated under the influence of the music [4].
In other words, by re-experiencing a painful past memory in a safe and secure sound environment, it can be reframed as “a valuable part of what makes you who you are,” changing the quality of the emotional memory itself.
The Physiological Changes and
Expansion of Consciousness
Brought by Breath
Slow Breathing—Enhancing HRV to Stabilize the Mind
Slow, gentle breathing at a rate of about six breaths per minute (slow breathing) makes the parasympathetic nervous system dominant and increases Heart Rate Variability (HRV).
A high HRV state indicates a high degree of “mental flexibility” and is associated with stress resilience and emotional stability [5].
In terms of brainwaves, an increase in alpha waves has been observed, and reductions in anxiety and depressive feelings have been reported.
Fast Breathing—Opening the Door to Altered States of Consciousness
On the other hand, intentionally repeating fast, deep breaths lowers the CO₂ concentration in the blood, causing changes in cerebral blood flow and neural activity. This can induce a trance-like or non-ordinary state of consciousness known as an altered state of consciousness, where traumatic memories or childhood experiences that do not normally surface may emerge.
This principle is applied in Holotropic Breathwork, developed by psychiatrist Stanislav Grof [6]. Clinical reports have documented numerous cases where suppressed memories surface through breathwork, leading to emotional release and catharsis. Furthermore, a study by Kox et al. showed significant changes in the autonomic nervous and immune responses of subjects who practiced the Wim Hof Method (rapid breathing + cold exposure) [7]. This demonstrates that we can consciously regulate our psychophysiological responses through breath.
The Integrative Transformation
Brought by Sound and Breath
When memories that are normally submerged in the unconscious are recalled through breath, and brainwaves and emotional networks are harmonized by music, these memories can be safely re-experienced.
Through the process of reframing that takes place, the memory is re-saved, now imbued with new meaning.
At nehan retreats, we place a strong emphasis on this process of “integration” (the reconsolidation of emotional memories), and we carefully support participants in recontextualizing their own experiences.
From a neuroscientific perspective, this phenomenon is explained as the simultaneous reactivation of regions such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, leading to the reconsolidation of memory along with new emotional information [8].
Thus, by reframing a once-frightening experience as “a valuable part of what makes you who you are,” the emotional nature of the memory itself changes. This is not a temporary mood shift, but a phenomenon where the brain reorganizes the memory, causing a past experience to take on a completely different meaning.
Conclusion
The nehan retreat is designed with a simple yet profound approach, based on the latest scientific findings in breath and music.
- Breath opens the “door” to altered states of consciousness and memory recall.
- Music harmonizes brainwaves and emotions, guiding the reconsolidation of memory.
When these two elements overlap, the mind and body can safely release memories and give them new meaning.
This is precisely the “process of self-transformation”—healing the past to create the future.
References
- Klimesch, W. (1999). EEG alpha and theta oscillations reflect cognitive and memory performance. Brain Research Reviews, 29(2-3), 169–195.
- Garcia-Argibay, M., Santed, M. A., & Reales, J. M. (2019). Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: a meta-analysis. Psychological Research, 83, 357–372.
- Nader, K., Schafe, G. E., & LeDoux, J. E. (2000). Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation. Nature, 406, 722–726.
- Mather, M., & Sutherland, M. R. (2015). Arousal-biased competition in perception and memory. Psychological Science, 26(2), 194–206.
- Lehrer, P. M., Vaschillo, E., & Vaschillo, B. (2000). Resonant frequency biofeedback training to increase cardiac variability. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 25(3), 177–191.
- Grof, S. (1988). Holotropic Breathwork: A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy. SUNY Press.
- Kox, M., et al. (2014). Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans. PNAS, 111(20), 7379–7384.
- Schiller, D., et al. (2010). Preventing the return of fear in humans using reconsolidation update mechanisms. Nature, 463, 49–53.
