Matthew Clark - Yogic trance (samādhi), no breathing and tryptamine

Yogic samadhi, a state of deep meditative absorption, is explored as a phenomenon characterized by a cessation of breathing and consciousness that mirrors states induced by certain tryptamines. This state, often associated with enlightenment in Eastern traditions, entails a profound, yet largely undocumented, disappearance of detectable vital signs that can persist for extended periods. Historically and in recent anecdotal accounts, these states are described as profound, non-dual experiences where the body is, in effect, abandoned. Techniques such as khecari mudra, which involves curling the tongue back into the palate, are discussed as practices that can occur spontaneously or deliberately to induce this meditative state. The comparison to animal hibernation, as termed by James Braid, offers a perspective on how vital functions can be significantly reduced to near-undetectable levels during these intense introspective experiences.