Breathwork and Flow: How Breathing Prepares the Brain and Body for Peak Performance
Flow Radio
The Science and Practice of Breath Control for Enhanced Performance
This chapter explores the vital link between breath control and both performance and well-being. It discusses the difference between conscious and unconscious breathing, revealing how intentional breathwork can enhance cognitive and emotional states through a neuroscientific lens.
In this episode of Flow Radio, we explore the intricate science of breathing with Dr. Jack Feldman, a world-renowned neuroscientist.
Dr. Feldman, a professor at UCLA, has spent decades uncovering the secrets of how our brains control this vital function. His pioneering research has led to groundbreaking discoveries, such as identifying and naming a key brain area responsible for breathing rhythms.
Tune in as Dr. Feldman, along with bestselling author Steven Kotler and Dr. Michael Mannino, break down:
The neuroscience behind how we breathe
The connection between breathwork and emotional health
Why understanding breathing is crucial for peak performance
Whether you’re curious about the science of breathing or looking for ways to improve your life, this episode is full of easy-to-understand insights and practical tips.
In This Episode:
00:02 Introducing a Legend
03:32 Evolution of Breathing in Mammals
07:41 The Role of the Diaphragm in Breathing
10:58 Understanding Sighs: A Physiological and Emotional Perspective
15:21 The Evolutionary Advantage of Calming Sighs
19:00 Breathing Rhythms and Brain Function
22:27 Disrupting Neural Circuits for Mental Health
25:45 Breathwork and Synaptic Plasticity
30:55 The Connection Between Endorphins and Breathwork
42:05 The Link Between Breathing and Flow States
About The Guest:
Jack Feldman revolutionized our understanding of basic physiological processes controlled by the brain by identifying and characterizing brain sites critical for breathing. He discovered two discrete brain structures critical for regulating breathing. Combining cutting edge techniques, development of new experimental preparations, and expertise in a range of disciplines, Jack identified several critical breathing functions originating in these brain areas including generation of inspiratory (i.e., inhaling) and expiratory (i.e., exhaling) patterns for normal breathing and for sighing. Most recently, Jack and his colleagues investigated mechanisms by which changes in breathing patterns (e.g., breathing practice) can affect emotion and cognition. His research continues to explore how the brain controls breathing, paving the way for further clinically relevant discoveries of mechanisms underlying breathing-related diseases, including sleep apnea, neurodegenerative diseases, and the positive effects of breathing practice on emotion. Jack is a recipient of the Hodgkin Huxley Katz Prize, the 125th Faculty Research Lecture UCLA, and the National Institutes of Health Outstanding Investigator Award in 2017 and 2023.
Episode Resources:
A Snippet of Jack’s Research:
Flow Radio Is Presented By Flow Research Collective
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