The New Science of Breathing

It seems like hardly a week goes by that there is not some breaking news regarding new discoveries regarding the breath and the impact that it has on the different dimensions of our lives.

The world's oldest cultures did not concern themselves with the "how" behind breathing, but clearly understood the power and potential that it holds with regards to our health, performance, and emotional/spiritual well-being. Our skeptical western minds however have been busily trying to understand the "how" of breathing and its remarkable impact on nearly everything that we do.

This week there has been a new discovery. Scientists in England discovered that brain cells called astrocytes are able to "taste" arterial blood as it enter the brain and determine the relative levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The astrocytes then secrete a chemical messenger called ATP which then signals the brain to regulate the breathing process. The astrocytes are apparently able to adjust and adapt to different situations and environments.

Researchers are hopeful that this new breakthrough will lead to better understanding and treatments for respiratory malfunctions such as Sudden Infant Death syndrome and others.

The good news is that as each new piece of the puzzle falls into place, more and more people are awakening to this powerful resource that is readily available to them every minute of every day.