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Slow Breathing Can Rewire Your Brain and Change the Choices You Make

24 points by Gaishan ago | 5 comments

karim79 |next [-]

This somehow always reminds me of video games. Press <whatever> to hold your breath and your accuracy increases, your aim is more steady.

Anecdotally I think there is some truth to this; hypoxia might lead to greater accuracy and better decisions.

I've had this thought for years and I don't know what I'm talking about just so you know.

"Hold your breath" does have some legs and seems to be quite a common theme especially when dealing with situations which require immense concentration.

janderson215 |root |parent [-]

I’ve always thought about the “hold your breath” function during sniper shooting in video games was to prevent the mechanical movement of breathing to keep the gun steady, not to increase focus or improve decision-making. I would think a lack of oxygen has a negative effect on both focus and decision-making.

gazook89 |root |parent [-]

Agreed. It’s ridiculous to think that holding your breath long enough to affect your cognitive thinking is what game designers have in mind.

karim79 |root |parent [-]

I mean, holding your breath to steady your hands to get a good shot, what other interesting chemistry could be going on? I think there's a lot of fun to be had here.