Even the slightest nuances of breathing are directly reflected in the brain's electrical activity, scientists have found, according to infohub.kz.
As SciTechDaily reports, researchers in California have determined that the traditional method of counting breaths per minute overlooks a crucial detail — the shape of the breath itself. The length and depth of each chest movement, the speed of inhalation and exhalation, and the brief pauses between them each time produce a unique pattern of electrical signals in the brain. What's more, this response involves regions responsible for memory, emotion and the ability to think.
Sixteen volunteers took part in the experiment. Special sensors recorded airflow through the nose and chest movements, while instruments read signals directly from the surface of the brain. By comparing the pattern of respiratory waves with electrical bursts, neuroscientists noticed a link between the tiniest fluctuations in air and the response of nerve cells. The close connection between breaths and brain activity turned out to be far richer and more complex than experts had previously assumed.
The authors of the study hope their discovery will help shed light on how breathing governs our feelings and why deep breaths help us cope with stress. In the future, the findings could save lives: the scientists plan to test whether a disruption of this connection could alert doctors in time to dangerous failures, such as when a person suddenly stops breathing during sleep.