Why Deep Breathing Calms Down People; Reason Found Here

It was for a long time people were taking slow, deep breaths to calm themselves down, but the reason behind the mechanism was not found until recently. It is now found that the neurons located in the part of the brain where the emotions are controlled to calm down and relax the body are in the deep breaths, according to the latest study.

A group of researchers from the University of California and Stanford University School of Medicine has located that there are 175 brain cells that collect the data of breath rate and change the state of mind corresponding to that. This could be a great step in the research to control anxiety and other stress related issues faced by people. Also, it is now a scientifically evident fact that slow, deep breaths can change the state of mind. Interestingly, deep breaths were practiced in yoga for thousands of years as a measure to calm down the mind without knowing its working mechanism.

The new study also suggested a deep breath as a quick and easier way to change the mood. Dr. Mark Krasnow of the University of California, who was part of the study says the 175 neurons play a critical role in telling the brain what is happening around. These neurons which can link breathing to emotions like excitement, anxiety, relaxation, and attention, is actually located interior in the brainstem. It very well interprets gasping, sleeping, sighing, laughing, among others.

The group of researchers did an experiment with mice to prove the myth. They used a group of genetically engineered mice that have particular 350 neurons that connects the breathing with body's condition and found out that they are calmer than their usual level of anxiety. The researchers now say the new findings could be used to develop medicines that are targeting genes for people who have panic disorders.