Yogis and Buddhists have long claimed that meditation and ancient breathing practices such as pranayama strengthen our ability to focus on tasks. A new study by researchers at Trinity College Dublin explains for the first time the neurophysiological link between breathing and attention. Breathing meditation and yogic breathing practices have a host of cognitive benefits, including increased ability to focus, invigorate, positive emotions, reduce emotional temper, and more. To date, however, no neurophysiological link has been made between respiration and brain function.
Scientists have shown for the first time that breathing, a key element of mindfulness meditation practice, directly affects levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in the brain. This chemical messenger is released when we are turned on, interested when we exercise, focus or emotionally aroused, and helps the brain form new connections like fertilizer. In other words, the way we breathe directly affects our brain chemistry in a way that improves focus and overall brain health.
The study found that participants who focused well on a task requiring a lot of attention were better at synchronizing their breathing and immediate attention than those who were unable to concentrate. That is, whoever breathed correctly, he listened better. The authors believe that breathing control techniques can be used to stabilize attention and improve brain health.
Michael Melnichuk, PhD at Trinity College Neuroscience Institute and lead author of the study, explained: “Yoga practitioners have been claiming for 2,500 years that breathing affects the mind. In our study, we looked for a neurophysiological link that could explain this by measuring respiration, reaction time, and brain activity in a small area of the brain, locus coeruleus, where norepinephrine is produced. Norepinephrine is a universal brain system. When we are under stress, too much norepinephrine is produced and we cannot concentrate. When we want to sleep, we produce too little, we cannot concentrate. There is a golden mean of norepinephrine, in which our emotions, thinking and memory will work much more clearly."
Simply put, research has shown that attention is directly related to breathing. Perhaps by focusing on and regulating your breathing, you can optimize your level of attention, and conversely, by focusing on your attention, you can optimize your breathing and make it work for you.
Ilya Khel