Heart Rate Variability Podcast

In this episode, Nick Lackey joins Matt to discuss the nature of pain and its relationship to heart rate variability and the nervous system. We also explore the exciting potential of HRV Biofeedback to help people to alleviate their pain.  Nicholas Seth Lackey, MA BCB, is a doctoral student in clinical psychology specializing in healthpsychology at Alliant International University. ​ With a focus on understanding and improving mental health, Nicholas has gained extensive clinical experience in various settings, conducting assessments and providing evidence-based therapy to individuals of all ages. His research contributions include studies on the psychophysiological effects of Heart-Rate Variability Biofeedback and meta-analyses on topics such as substance abuse and late-life depression. ​ Nicholas is also actively involved in teaching and service, serving as a graduate statistics tutor and holding leadership positions in student organizations. With his dedication to the field and commitment to making a difference, Nicholas is poised to become a valuable asset in the realm of psychology. nslackey@gmail.com DGBI review in Dr. G's Lab: Freeman, K. R., Lackey, N. S., Ferdousin, V., Fathi, M., Clarke, D. F., Mathias, M. S., Wynveen, R., Weiss, L., & Gevirtz, R. N. (2023). A Topical Review of Heart Rate Variability (HRVB) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Pediatric Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 11(4), 395-407. https://doi.org/10.1037/cpp0000506   Inconsistency of brain regions across Central Sensitivity Syndromes: Walitt, B.; Ceko, M.; Gracely, J. L.; Gracely, R. H. Neuroimaging of Central Sensitivity Syndromes: Key Insights from the Scientific Literature. Curr Rheumatol Rev 2016, 12 (1), 55-87. DOI: 10.2174/1573397112666151231111104.   Current IASP definitions: Raja, S. N.; Carr, D. B.; Cohen, M.; Finnerup, N. B.; Flor, H.; Gibson, S.; Keefe, F. J.; Mogil, J. S.; Ringkamp, M.; Sluka, K. A.; et al. The revised International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain: concepts, challenges, and compromises. Pain 2020, 161 (9), 1976-1982. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001939.   CBT for Chronic Pain Neuroimaging: Bao, S.; Qiao, M.; Lu, Y.; Jiang, Y. Neuroimaging Mechanism of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Pain Management. Pain Res Manag 2022, 2022, 6266619. DOI: 10.1155/2022/6266619.   No difference on 24-hour HRV on low/high CSI: Mikkonen, J.; Kupari, S.; Tarvainen, M.; Neblett, R.; Airaksinen, O.; Luomajoki, H.; Leinonen, V. To what degree patient-reported symptoms of central sensitization, kinesiophobia, disability, sleep, and life quality associated with 24-h heart rate variability and actigraphy measurements? Pain Pract 2024, 24 (4), 609-619. DOI: 10.1111/papr.13331.

In this episode, Dr. David Hopper talks about the connection between nutrition, health, inflammation, and heart rate variability.  

In this episode, Joshua Marchant joins Matt to discuss his research comparing how resonance frequency, square breathing, and 4-7-8 breathing impact heart rate variability. Josh is a 1st-year student studying clinical psychology at Brigham Young University. He is interested in combining psychotherapy with biofeedback to improve mental health treatment outcomes. He works under the mentorship of Dr. Patrick Steffen. Josh is also a father of two little boys and loves spending time with his family. Here is a link to the presentation slides for Josh's thesis, including data and graphs for the data: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1djNhRAn7avAgO3ZNwFV3d4VjvZJBOIsJ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115393129857853066622&rtpof=true&sd=true

In this episode, Dr. Mensinger and Matt Bennett make the research-based argument on why heart rate variability destroys body mass index as a metric of health and longevity!  Janell Mensinger, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and School Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Mensinger is a passionate and dedicated mentor to students pursuing doctoral degrees in clinical psychology and teaches courses in statistics, theories of measurement, and eating disorders. She is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders and has been doing research in the field eating and body concerns for over 20 years. She is widely published and has presented all over the world on topics related to her program of research, which primarily focuses on the intersection of weight stigma and disordered eating. Her research includes one of the first randomized controlled trials highlighting the importance of promoting a weight-neutral (aka weight-inclusive) over a weight-centered approach to health and wellbeing. More recently, in search of more accessible digital interventions for individuals who are struggling with eating and body concerns, she piloted the successful use of a smartphone-based heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback app for enhancing mindful self-awareness and reducing disordered eating among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was recently awarded (2024) an R16 SuRE grant from the National Institutes of Health investigating methods to optimize the validity of measuring mind-body phenomena. This work specifically aims to improve our understanding and measurement of interoceptive sensibility (i.e., the ability to adaptively interpret bodily signals) as it relates to health and wellbeing.   ***************************** In Matt and Janell’s recent AAPB conference workshop (May 2024) on the problems and pitfalls of the BMI as a health metric, they propose HRV as a potential alternative metric in the context of a stigma-free weight-inclusive approach to healthcare. For more information about a weight inclusive model of health and a sampling of the research Janell has completed over the past 5 years describing and testing this perspective, see the articles below. The 2022 and 2021 papers are open source. Please feel free to email Janell for copies of the 2019 or 2023 papers if you cannot obtain them. Mensinger, J.L., Shepherd, B.F., Schapiro, S., Aware, Y., Brochu, P. Calogero, R., & Tylka, T., (2023). Mediating effects of a weight-inclusive health promotion program on maladaptive eating in women with high body mass index. Eating Behaviors, 49, 101730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101730 Mensinger, J. L. (2022). Traumatic stress, body shame, and internalized weight stigma as mediators of change in disordered eating: a single-arm pilot study of the Body Trust® framework. Eating Disorders, 30(6), 618-646. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2021.1985807 Calogero, R.M., Tylka, T.L., Mensinger, J.L., Meadows, A., & Danielsdottir, S. (2019). Recognizing fat as a fundamental right: A weight-inclusive approach to size acceptance and healing from sizeism. Women and Therapy, 102,1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2018.1524067 Mensinger, J.L., Cox, S., & Henretty, J. (2021). Treatment outcomes and trajectories of change in patients attributing their eating disorder onset to anti-obesity messaging. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83(7), 777-786. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000962

Dr. Fred Shaffer joins the podcast to discuss his nearly five decades of work with heart rate variability and biofeedback. It is such an honor to have one of the pioneers in HRV as our guest! http://fshaffer.sites.truman.edu/

In this episode, Dr. Inna Khazan joins Matt to discuss how to set up an ideal heart rate variability training session. Learn how to get the most benefit out of your training time. 

In our 150th episode, Matt takes a moment to reflect on the Heart Rate Variability Podcast's birth and development over the last four years. Matt also looks forward to the future and continues to ask, "How many hours of conversations can you have around a single biometric?" 

In this episode, Dr. Christine Sanchez joins Matt and Inna to discuss her work providing mental skills training and executive coaching to high-level performers and teams. Dr. Christine Sanchez specializes in providing mental skills training and executive coaching to high level performers and teams. Her diverse portfolio of clients includes elite military service members, first responders, executives, professional athletes, and other performers who desire to unlock their true potential. She is passionate about being an “aid to navigation” in assisting clients to return home to their authentic self and purpose.   Dr. Sanchez is best known for her work targeting mindful performance under pressure, productive failures, and well-being optimization. She routinely integrates Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback and capnography training for facilitating optimal performance in high stress scenarios. Restorative practices for deliberate recovery is a popular topic she works with clients on, integrating breathwork, nature based wisdom, mindfulness, meaningful social connection, and movement.  Dr. Sanchez earned her PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology from Florida State University, and currently holds the following certifications: Board Certified in Biofeedback (BCB), Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), Certified Breathing Behavioral Analyst (CBBA), and ICF Associate Certified Coach (in progress). She resides in Virginia Beach, VA where she soaks up all the water time she can get paddling, surfing, and swimming. drchristinesanchez@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristinesanchezphd/   Books mentioned in this episode: Burnout by Nagoski and Nagoski Heart, Breath, Mind by Lagos and Harcourt

Ben Riley joins Matt to discuss the technology behind heart rate variability. Learn what is behind those numbers that seemingly magically appear on your phone or watch. 

In this episode, Matt interviews Dr. Khazan about the power and science of resonance frequency breathing. Learn how this powerful approach can build the resiliency of the nervous system and why Matt believes it has been life-changing in his own life.