Breathing techniques have been used by humans across history to access the parasympathetic nervous system for various benefits – meditation, healing, mitigating stress, free diving. For background on different techniques look into Qi Gong, breath of fire, box breathing, Wim Hoff method (not new and like pranayama). Beyond that, breathing through the nose as opposed to breathing through the mouth, helps condition the air coming into the body and it brings in more oxygen. Mouth breathing contributes to a 40% loss of moisture compared to nose breathing.

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, James Nestor – The impact of switching from mouth to nose breathing.

CO2 therapy for controlling chronic anxiety – Dr. Justin Feinstein is overseeing research going on right now, funded by the NIH in Tulsa, OK. Introducing CO2 into patients to help them become more tolerant to the condition.

Katarina Schroth (born 1894) developed a therapy for correcting scoliosis by using breathing techniques. More background

The Future of Breathing – A presentation given at The Interval, venue for talks hosted by The Long Now Foundation. This talk is also by James Nestor (see book referenced above).

Vice documentary on Wim Hoff

Wim has broken many records for sitting in cold, running in heat without water, and has battled sickness with his breathing techniques and cold therapy.

More about Morozko Forge, cold thermogenesis and breathing.

Inhaling 2nd hand stress – This article discusses this phenomenon.

NPR’s article on the benefits of breathing – Breathing promotes relaxation and research supports that claim. It’s not a new idea.

Things that Blew Us away

Rob: Easterland paradox

Christen: Copped out and said breathing blew her away – pun intended.

Next week: Fame