The Breathing Rabbit Hole
To be explored…
Topics listed below are ideas that are yet to be summarized.
Symptoms of conditions that may be improved as a byproduct:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep apnea
- PTSD
- Asthma
- Autoimmunity diseases
- ADHD
A spotlight on the Optimal Health Model
Cultural breathing styles and their relationship with vocal pitch and breath depth
Nitric oxide production, effects, integration with the rest of the body (blood vessel vasodilation, immune system, endocrine, neurotransmitters).
Respiratory & circulatory effects (blood pressure, blood vessels, heart, and lung efficiency).
Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) & sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (upregulation and downregulation).
Holotropic Breathing for therapy and psychedelic experience.
CO2 and Oxygen Therapy.
- Cancer
- Autoimmunity
- Anxiety
Pranayama. Buteyko. Coherent Breathing. Hypoventilation. Breathing Coordination. Holotropic Breathwork. Adhama. Madhyama. Uttama. Kêvala. Embryonic Breath. Harmonizing Breath. The Breath by the Master Great Nothing. Tummo. Sudarshan Kriya.
Apnea: A Powerful Bi-Directional Influence on Estrogen & Testosterone
Apnea (low O2 and poor efficiency of breathing) is associated with poor levels of sex steroid hormones.
There are estrogen receptors on some of the neurons that innervate the lungs, which may have an effect on how full or not full the lungs are detected to be. Testosterone receptors are also found on cells that innervate the lungs.
Mouth vs. Nose Breathing & Hormone Levels: Effects Via Sleep and Direct Effects
Breathing through the nose is powerful for cosmetic features (preventing face lengthening and eye drooping), face and jaw form and function, improvement of gas exchange, and modify levels of neuromodulators and neurotransmitters that can positively impact hormones.
Deep sleep supports the health of gonads and the hormone production. We need to breathe properly throughout the day to prevent apnea states and to promote this deep sleep state. When apnea is reduced there is measurable change in testosterone levels in males and proper estrogen to testosterone ratios in females.
How Sleep Adjusts Cortisol/Testosterone and Cortisol/Estrogen Ratios
Works by a reduction in cortisol. There is competition for available cholesterol between sex steroid hormones and cortisol (if stress levels are too high). Breath holding in sleep (apnea) increases cortisol levels, which then decreases testosterone and estrogen across both sexes.
Taping the mouth can allow people to shift over to nasal breathing.
O2: CO2 Ratios, Nasal Breathing During Exercise
When you exercise, unless during max effort, you should nasal breathe. The nasal passage will start to dilate the more you use them.
Be a nasal breather for cosmetic effects, reducing apnea, offloading more CO2, increase lung capacity, dilate the sinuses, etc. Increasing testosterone and estrogen by reducing cortisol.