BRAIN HEALTH AND COGNITIVE BENEFITS OF REGULAR DEEP BREATHING

Breathing is the mechanical aspect of respiration in vertebrates. It is normally an involuntary act under the controll of the autonomic nervous system of vertebrates. The regions of the brain that control breath are located in the hind brain - pons and medulla oblongata. The pneumotaxic center (PNC) and the apneustic center (APC) are located in the pons, while respiratory groups of neurons - dorsal respiratory group (DRG) and ventral respiratory group - are found in the medulla oblongata.

However, the higher center -- the neocortex -- always controls the lower centers of the brain where the apneustic center is located. Therefore, no matter the fact that breathing is an involuntary neural process, it can still be controlled by the voluntary level of the brain -- the higher center. Hence, one can voluntarily take a deep breath.

The benefits of deep breathing

Deep breathing improves ventilation by reducing dead space air as it impacts tidal volume, respiratory reserve volume, end reserve volume, inspiratoy capacity and other breathing dimensions of the lungs. Dead space of the lung is the part where air does not make contact with capillaries for exchange between the blood and ambient air.

The brain is favored by high levels of oxygen in the blood and hampered by low blood oxygen partial pressure -- hypoxia. Therefore, breathing deep means more oxygen to the lungs, reduced dead space air, more oxygen to the blood, more neuronal energy, and high mental resolution or acuity.

Breathing deep has a relaxing effect on the brain owing to a certain feedback mechanism in the brain. By breathing deep, anxiety and fear are minimized -- if not cancelled.

Stress and depression can both be handled through regular doses of deep breathing as it changes negative thought patterns and improves brain alpha waves which studies have linked to relaxation.

Deep breathing has also been shown to increase attention span, improve mental focus and acuity.Therefore, deep breathing is brain-friendly and counters cognitive decline.

Festus C. Anaba, B Med.