Holotropic breathwork is led by somebody trained in the practice and usually involves music and plenty of discussion about feelings afterward. But there are big questions — is it safe? Does it even work? Put simply, holotropic breathwork is meant to help us improve our natural capacity for healing. It can, therefore, be used to treat depression, stress, addiction, PTSD, and even migraines and chronic pain. 

Proponents have used it to banish negative thoughts or to manage trauma. Similar to meditation, it can help center somebody's experience elsewhere so the focus is no longer on the negative. The practice helps you move beyond your physical body and mind to get more in touch with a deeper plane of existence, so you can better connect to yourself and others. Meditation does have scientifically proven benefits, but holotropic breathwork is much newer. However, as Very Well Mind notes, the practice has actually been around since the 1970s, even if it's only gaining traction with New Age types nowadays.