Breathwork and Flow: How Breathing Prepares the Brain and Body for Peak Performance

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:

Website

A Snippet of Jack’s Research: 

• Breathing Rhythm and Pattern and Their Influence on Emotion

• Microcircuit Synchronization and Heavy-Tailed Synaptic Weight Distribution Augment preBötzinger Complex Bursting Dynamics

• Emergent Elements of Inspiratory Rhythmogenesis: Network Synchronization and Synchrony Propagation

Flow Radio Is Presented By Flow Research Collective

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