While breathing is a vital survival function, it does more than keep the body alive. In fact, according to Smithsonian Magazine, humans take around 20,000 breaths each day. In each breath, oxygen is sucked to boost the tissues and cells. It then rids the body of carbon dioxide.
SciTechDaily notes how it is common knowledge that breathing deeply can help the body physically calm down in the face of stressful conditions. However, there is more to it. Micah Allen, a professor from Aarhus University's Department of Clinical Medicine, sheds light on the connection between breathing with the brain.
The Link Between Breathing and the Brain
Allen and his colleagues were able to create a computational model that explains how brain expectations are affected by breathing patterns. The results were generated by synthesizing previous findings from various brain imaging studies among monkeys, rodents, and humans. The recent findings were included in the APA PsycArticles Publication.
According to Professor Allen, the team found close ties between brain and breathing rhythms across various animals and tasks. He also notes how individuals are more sensitive to surroundings when inhaling, while the brain has more tuning out when breathing out. Such an observation aligns with how breathing is utilized across some extreme sports. Marksmen, for instance, are taught to release the trigger once they stop exhaling.
The study suggests that the close ties between the brain and breathing may affect processing, attention, and emotions. Their model also proposes that there is a common brain mechanism that connects breathing rhythms to such occurrences.
How Breathing Affects Mental Health
SciTechDaily reports how knowing the effects of breathing on the brain and, in turn, on emotions, thoughts, and actions is vital for better prevention and treatment of mental conditions.
Professor Allen explains how breathing problems are linked with significant risk boosts in developing mood disorders, including depression. He notes how respiration, respiration-related conditions, and psychiatric illnesses have close links. The study, thus, raises possibilities that potential treatments of such conditions could be grounded on new methods of realigning brain and body rhythms, as opposed to treating each one separately.
Across meditation, yoga, and various practices, using breathing to steady the mind is well-known. This recent study reveals how the brain enables such effects. The research suggests that three brain pathways manage the interaction of brain activity and breathing. It also proposes how breathing patterns can add excitement to the brain. This means that neurons have higher tendencies to fire during breathing.
Digging Deeper
Professor Allen explains how the team is working on grounded projects and testing the model they came up with. Malthe Brændholt, a Ph.D. student, is also working on brain imaging researchers among humans to know how breathing influences various types of visual and emotional perceptions.
Professor Allen's team is also working with the Aarhus University Hospital's Pulmonology team. Within the hospital, lab-developed tools are utilized to study if those going through long-covid have significant disruptions in the alignment of their breath-brain ties.
The team has more projects to come.
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