INTRODUCTION

BreathHoldWork® is not a one-size-fits-all breathing hack. It is a structured nervous system training method validated by modern science. Below is a curated reference list of peer-reviewed studies that support the physiological, mental, and emotional benefits of this method.

The studies are grouped into four categories:

• Physiological Health and Physical Resilience

• Cognitive Clarity

• Emotional Stability

• Inner Sovereignty

Each study listed is classified as pivotal, meaning it directly supports the physiological mechanisms trained through BreathHoldWork®.

Physiological Health and Physical Resilience

• Baranova et al. (2004) – View Study
• Elia et al. (2025) – View Study
• Garcia et al. (2025) – View Study

Cognitive Performance and Neuroplasticity

• Mendez et al. (2025) – View Study
• Lopez et al. (2025) – View Study

Emotional Regulation and Stress Recovery

• Carter et al. (2024) – View Study
• Fernandez et al. (2025) – View Study

Self-Regula...

By Erwan Le Corre
Founder, BreathHoldWork®
3x U.S. National Record Holder in Static Apnea

"Meditation becomes more effective when it happens within a breath-hold.
Not before it. Not after it. Within it."

Erwan Le Corre

Why Meditation Feels So Hard

Most people separate meditation from breathwork.
They either practice a breathwork exercise or meditate.

Doing breathwork is often preferred because it provides a single point of focus: your breath.
Mentally, that makes things easy. It’s similar to when one exercises, because when you do, you’re likely to focus on your physical sensations rather than paying attention to your mind.

Doing breathwork feels like a mental and emotional wellness practice without the challenge of meditation.

But why is meditation such a challenge when all you’ve got to do, at least from the perspective of conventional meditation, is to sit still and watch thoughts rise and pass?

The explanation is simple and resides in the answer to the following question: w...