What’s happening when you breathe?
You may be forgiven for thinking that breathwork is mere pseudoscience but there is evidence-based proof of its efficacy in improving mental health and its ability to reduce stress in individuals (stress well-known to be the biggest contributing factor to inflammation; the precursor to all dis-ease in the body).
When we understand that the breath alters our whole physiology and biology things get exciting.
A scientific report published in Nature Journal (G.W. Finchman, 2023) conducted a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials which found significant small-medium effects of breathwork on lowering stress, anxiety and depression compared to non-breathwork control conditions, and concluded that breathwork could be part of the solution for an accessible approach to reducing stress.
70% of all toxins from the body leave via the lungs (our primary detoxifier), which is why correct breathing mechanics are so important (Lung Foundation Australia, 2023).
Breathwork, or consciously controlling our breath, can be used to activate or deactivate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response) or sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response), depending on what we are aiming to achieve.
Slow breathing exercises stimulate messages to be sent along the vagus nerve, directing us into a relaxation response and rhythmically altering our brainwaves to induce a meditative/healing state.
Energising or conscious connected oral breaths (CCO), stimulate the sympathetic side of the nervous system to wake and energise the body. A deliberate activation of this response in a safe environment is used to not only stimulate but to build a robust nervous system.
Altering the ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide, causes the body’s chemoreceptors which are continually monitoring for changes, to signal to the body to release less oxygen from the bloodstream into the muscles and vital organs, causing the blood pH to rise and become alkaline.
As this alkalising occurs, blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain (specifically the prefrontal cortex) decreases significantly allowing us to ‘switch off’ our thinking mind and open up the amygdala (where fears and memories are stored) ultimately to access a higher state of consciousness, drop into presence, find bliss and experience inner peace.
Resources
Nature Journal, 2023 (G.W Finchman): Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials
Lung Foundation Australia, 2023: How your lungs work https://lungfoundation.com.au/lung-health/protecting-your-lungs/how-your-lungs-work/
National Library of Medicine, 2007 (S.W. Porges): The Polyvagal Theory
C2BC Facilitiator Training Manual 2022