TAKE A DEEP BREATH #125 Dr Peter Litchfield - CO2 Doctor’s WARNING: Fix These Breathing Habits Now
Aug 31, 2025
Dr. Peter Litchfield, a breathing expert at Better Physiology Ltd, discusses the crucial differences between breathing and respiration. He reveals how learned breathing habits can shape our overall health, especially regarding anxiety. The conversation explores the effects of mouth breathing, particularly during sleep, and critiques common methods like the Buteyko Method. Listeners learn tips for improving breathing and managing CO2 levels for better resilience. Dr. Litchfield also shares personal stories about overcoming breathing issues and offers hope for healthier habits.
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Breathing Is Behavior, Respiration Is Chemistry
- Breathing and respiration are distinct: breathing is behavioral, respiration is chemical and physiological.
- Learned breathing habits can change respiration indirectly by overriding reflexes.
Stress Breaths Cause Rapid CO2 Loss
- People habitually take larger breaths when stressed and unintentionally lose CO2.
- Losing CO2 quickly alters brain blood flow and can cause headaches or dizziness independent of the original stressor.
Measure End-Tidal CO2 To Diagnose Breathing
- Do a breathing behaviour analysis including history and end-tidal CO2 measurement to see if habits disrupt respiration.
- Use capnometry to check end-of-breath CO2 because lung CO2 reflects blood CO2.