How Ecstatic Dance Hacks Happy Chemicals And Improves Health

How Ecstatic Dance Hacks Happy Chemicals And Improves Health

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In this episode of Biohack-HERS, HigherDOSE founders Lauren Berlingeri and Katie Kaps meet with the electric force that is Yarixa Ferrao—better known as Coach Yari—founder of Unleash!, to tap into something wild, weird, and unexpectedly healing: ecstatic dance.

As powerhouse CEOs, Lauren and Katie are used to spreadsheets, schedules, and running a wellness empire. But today? They’re ditching the structure, turning up the beats, and seeing if this movement-as-medicine practice is really as transformative as it sounds.

Let’s just say... things get sweaty, soulful, and seriously primal.

What Is Ecstatic Dance?

Imagine a dance party with no steps, no choreography, and zero pressure to look good. That’s ecstatic dance—a movement experience where you close your eyes, drop into your body, and let it move however the music wants.

It’s all about accessing a flow state through intuitive movement, allowing your body to express and release what words often can’t.

This isn’t a new-age trend either. Ecstatic dance has roots all the way back to Ancient Greece, where people used free-form movement to reach trance-like, divine states. From tribal rituals to temple ceremonies, humans have been moving this way for centuries to alter consciousness, release emotion, and connect to something deeper.

The Biohacking Benefits of Going Full Primal

Letting your body do its thing on the dance floor might seem simple, but the benefits? Surprisingly legit.

Here’s what happens when you let go and get wild:

  • Stress reduction: Dancing reduces cortisol (your stress hormone) and boosts feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin

  • Mood lift & emotional release: That post-dance euphoria? Real. And therapeutic.

  • Nervous system reset: Moving freely helps regulate your vagus nerve, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity

  • Better sleep: Yes, you really can dance your way to deeper rest

  • Flow state magic: The kind of movement that increases creativity, presence, and full-body joy

Coach Yari calls it “embodied liberation”—and trust us, once you’re in it, it’s hard to go back to just hitting the treadmill.

From the Boardroom to the Dance Floor

For Lauren and Katie, ecstatic dance isn’t just about trying something new—it’s about remembering the body’s power to heal, emote, and connect. As wellness leaders, they’re used to testing out the latest science-backed tools. But sometimes, the most effective healing? It’s ancient, primal, and feels really good.

Does dancing like nobody’s watching really alter your state of being? Find out on the latest episode of Biohack-HERS. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fiona Hillery is a seasoned VP of Communications with over a decade of experience bridging media, wellness, and holistic healing. With a career rooted in brand storytelling, public relations, and cultural strategy, she has led communications for industry powerhouses like Vice Media and The History Channel, where she crafted high-impact campaigns that drove brand awareness and audience engagement. Currently, Fiona serves as Vice President of Communications at HigherDOSE, a trailblazing wellness brand renowned for its celebrity-loved infrared products and experiential wellness events. Her approach blends strategic foresight with intuitive insight, allowing her to craft authentic, soul-centered narratives that resonate with modern audiences and amplify brand influence. Beyond her executive role, Fiona is a creative visionary and thought leader in the wellness space. As a spiritual guide, writer, and event curator, she bridges her deep knowledge of holistic healing with her expertise in media and communications. Her passion for authentic storytelling is reflected in her work curating large-scale wellness events, consulting on brand strategy for conscious businesses, and producing editorial content on spirituality, cultural evolution, and wellness trends. With an unparalleled ability to merge intuition with business acumen, Fiona Hillery is dedicated to helping brands, communities, and individuals tell meaningful stories that inspire collective transformation and lasting impact.

Fiona Hillery