The World's Best Book Summaries
Is it better to breathe fast or slow? How does slowing down your breath affect oxygen absorption? When we breathe “normally,” we only absorb about 25% of the oxygen we take in. On the other hand, slow breathing lets us absorb more oxygen using fewer breaths—a more efficient process for the whole body that uses less work to produce more energy. Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of slow breathing, according to James Nestor.
What role does breathing play in the regulation of bodily functions? How can the control of breathing be used to tap into the body’s latent capabilities? As scientists work to better understand the ways that breath regulates our body’s functions, practitioners of ancient traditions have used breath to control the body for thousands of years. In many cultures, breath is believed to be the energy of life, an energy that can be manipulated to spectacular effect. In this article, we’ll explore the nature of these beliefs using the example of Swami Rama, whose amazing, breath-induced control of his body was
Is nose breathing better than mouth breathing? How can you habituate yourself to breathe through your nose? Your nose and sinus cavity are specifically designed to process air in ways your mouth can’t. Breathing through the nose strengthens your airways, regulates your metabolism, and even has a positive effect on your brain. Here’s why you should try to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth.
What happens in the body when you inhale too much carbon dioxide? How can breathing CO2 help you increase your panic tolerance? Like bringing air into different parts of the lungs can trigger different responses in the body, you can also affect unconscious responses by exposing yourself to excess CO2. In particular, chemoreceptors, which act as the body’s fear alarm system, can be trained to have a higher CO2 tolerance. Here’s how you can increase your CO2 tolerance using breathwork.
Can you regulate your nervous system through respiration? How can breathwork help you calm down—or stimulate—your mind? The respiratory system is an opening through which we can consciously influence other autonomic functions. In computer terms, the lungs provide an exploit that we can use to control parts of our bodies that we wouldn’t otherwise have access to, such as the nervous system. Here’s how you can hack your nervous system by breathing.
Is mouthbreathing bad for you? What happens when you breathe through the mouth instead of the nose? It’s well-established that mouthbreathing isn’t the optimal way to breathe. When you breathe through the mouth, you inhale a lot of air very fast, but that air isn’t filtered. Breathing through the mouth also expends more energy. Here’s why you should train yourself to rely on breathing through the nose.
How far has cancer research come? Are we any closer to curing cancer? Cancer was nearly impossible to treat until the last century or so. Today, cancer patients at least have hope, and new discoveries are paving the way to more reliable and safer treatments in the future. Specifically, the new theory of cancer as atavism could revolutionize cancer research and treatment. Keep reading to learn about the new, possibly revolutionary theory of cancer, according to Dr. Fung.
Do you try to avoid stress, or do you intentionally seek it out? How does your mindset influence your stress response? Everybody gets stressed, but the effect stress has on your life depends on your mindset about it. Because your stress mindset influences your thoughts, goals, and actions related to stress, it determines the consequences of stress in your life. In this article, you’ll learn what a mindset is, why it’s important for transforming stress, and how to change it.
What is the somatic mutation theory of cancer? What is the main shortcoming of this theory? The somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis has been at the forefront of cancer research during the 20th century. However, this theory can’t explain why cancer is so common, or why there are so many different types of cancer that all share the same characteristics. Dr. Jason Fung explains the flaws of the somatic mutation model.
What role do vaccines play in a country’s economy? How can increasing vaccination rates help combat poverty in underdeveloped countries? Vaccines are one of the most underestimated ways to increase a country’s standard of living. In underdeveloped countries, where infections are prevalent, increasing vaccination rates can even help lift the populace out of poverty. Keep reading to learn about the economic benefits of vaccines.