The brain’s resonance with breathing-decelerated breathing synchronizes heart rate and slow cortical potentials

摘要

Numerousmethods for enhancing consciousness andwell-being emphasize the role of breathing. For the first time, we have investigated the link between body rhythms and slowcortical brain dynamics during paced breathing.We present physiological data from37 participantswho performed paced breathing sessionswith respiration rates (RRs) from6 to 14 s/cycle (with 7min for each task).Measures of respiration, heart rate variability (HRV) and 64-channel electroencephalogram(EEG) as well as subjective ratingswere recorded and compared with each other. Both the respiratory sinus arrhythmia of theHRVand the slowcortical potentials (SCPs) of the EEGcorrelated with the respiration cycle. The highest correlationswere observed at aRRof 10 s/cycle for the SCPs.Astrong positive voltage deflection during inhalation is followed by a negative variation during exhalation. This decelerated breathing rhythmmatches the frequency of baroreceptor sensitivity, leading to synchronization between breathing,HRV, baroreceptors and the brain. Subjectively, participants rated thisRRas themost relaxing one. This study demonstrates the importance of the effect of speed of breathing on brain dynamics,whichmight help in understanding the role of breathing inmental health.