New publications
Proper breathing improves brain function
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Breathing exercises are used to prevent and treat diseases of the respiratory system, heart, blood vessels, vegetative-vascular dystonia, diabetes, sexual disorders, and to normalize weight. But in the latest study, scientists found that a special set of breathing exercises improves brain activity.
A new study was conducted by specialists from the Feinberg School of Medicine and Health, and it was found that brain function improves significantly if breathing exercises are performed regularly. But to improve brain activity, it is not enough to just do exercises; according to scientists, the rhythm of breathing is of key importance. In addition, special equipment recorded many differences between nasal and oral breathing.
Experts were able to establish that the rhythm of breathing greatly affects the level of electrical activity, which is associated with memory processes. The experiments involved 40 people who performed various breathing exercises and tried to determine the emotional state of people shown in the pictures. As a result, experts found that it is easier for a person to determine the emotional state of another person during inhalation. When viewing inanimate pictures, the volunteers' memory worked better on exhalation.
Read also:
Experts are sure that inhalation is an important process not only for the respiratory system, but also for the brain. During inhalation, the activity of the amygdala changes significantly, and powerful stimulation of neurons occurs in the cerebral cortex.
In Britain, experts are sure that for the brain to function properly, it is important not only to breathe correctly, but also to lead a healthy lifestyle. According to experts, proper nutrition, giving up alcohol and smoking, and physical activity improve the functioning of the brain; in addition, proper nutrition and exercise can even help rejuvenate the body. Such a statement was recently made by experts from the University of Aberdeen, who, in the course of a series of experiments, found out that there is a relationship between brain and physical activity. Moreover, this relationship is constant and does not weaken or disappear over time. In simple terms, if a person has a desire to lead a healthy lifestyle, then it will not be a problem for him to play sports, eat only the right and healthy food, give up bad habits, etc.
British experts are sure that the main thing is an independent decision to lead a healthy lifestyle. In this case, you cannot follow fashion, listen to friends or relatives, this decision must be a purely personal desire of the person, otherwise completely different processes begin to occur in the body and brain.
Experts recommend that anyone who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle carefully analyze their habits, passions, food preferences, etc. First of all, you need to improve your diet and give up unhealthy food. The maximum amount of substances harmful to the body is contained in fried and fatty foods, so by giving up such products, you will take the first step not only to improving your health, but also help your brain work as efficiently as possible.
[