about
I’m Lana Porter, I am a neuroscientist, educator, researcher, and breath-worker based in London, England.
I am currently a PhD student researching the mechanisms of altered states of consciousness accessed through high ventilation breathing practices at the Max Planck Institute and University College London (UCL). My current research focuses on the physiological and embodied dimensions of consciousness, trauma, and resiliency, as well as psychopharmacological mechanisms of circular breathing.
My mission is the sacred marriage work of the scientist and the mystic; building the bridge between modern neuroscience research and mystical practices for the integration of the impulses of life and death.
In December 2011, I had a near death experience which opened a perceptual veil between the realms of life and death. Since then, I discovered that my experiences with circular breathing have kept me in connection with this portal. I’m motivated to understand the relationship between respiration, metabolism, consciousness, life, and death.
I am a lifelong student of systems, with a BA in History and Gender Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and an MSc Neuroscience from Kings College London, where I specialized in developmental and evolutionary neurobiology. I trained as a breathwork facilitator with Alchemy of Breath, and Systemic Constellations with the Centre for Systemic Constellations in London.
podcasts
WORK
May 2026- Ongoing- Visiting PhD Researcher, Consciousness Research Center, University College London, London, England
April 2025- May 2026: Research Assistant, Zero Noise Lab at Ernst Strungmann Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience, Frankfurt, Germany
May 2024- Ongoing: Head of Education and Events, Hystelica, London, UK
November 2023-Ongoing: Research Assistant, Breathwork Survey Study, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London
December 2023: Educator, Facilitator and Ceremonial Space Holder, London School of Systemic Constellations, London UK
October 2023: Breathwork Facilitator, London School of Systemic Constellations: Ragusa, Italy
September 2023-Ongoing: Mentor and Teachers Assistant, Alchemy of Breath
June 2023- April 2024: Systemic Constellation Assistant for Judith Hemming, London UK
May 2022- September 2022: Graduate Research Assistant, Marin Lab: Centre for Developmental Neurobiology at King’s CollegeLondon
September 2022: King’s Entrepreneurship Award, King’s Entrepreneurship Institute
February 2022: Glia to Neuron Reprogramming for Traumatic Brain Injury: Neurosphere Journal
EDUCATION & AWARDs
March 2026: Young Scientist Award, Berlin School of Brain & Mind at the Max Planck School of Cognition
September 2025: Early Career Research Fellowship Recipient, PsyDAO
February 2024: Oxygen Advantage Advanced Instructor Training
November 2023: Family and Systemic Constellation Facilitator, International Family Constellation Training Institute
September 2023: Certified Breathwork Facilitator, Alchemy of Breath
August 2023: Certified Systemic Constellation Foundation, Centre for Systemic Constellations
July 2023: Somatic Experiencing Level 1, Escola de Psicoterapias Corporais, Lisbon, Portugal
September 2022: MSc Neuroscience (1st), King’s College London
January 2018: BA (Hons) History and Women & Gender Studies, University of Texas at Austin