A study by researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE) and Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, published in Neuron, demonstrates that deliberately extending the exhalation phase of breathing can influence decision-making processes. The researchers found that a slower breathing pattern, with a 2:8 inhale-exhale ratio, increased heart rate variability and heightened brain responsiveness to rewards, which was associated with bolder choices among participants. This effect appeared to stem from a greater attention to potential rewards rather than a diminished concern for losses.
The study involved 41 healthy participants who made risk-related decisions under controlled breathing conditions. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tracked brain activity, while physiological responses such as heart activity, skin conductance, and pupil responses were simultaneously monitored. The results showed that extended exhalation slowed heart rate and was linked to riskier decisions, accompanied by stronger activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the precuneus—brain regions involved in reward processing and heart rate variability regulation. The findings suggest that breath-based interventions can modulate the brain’s receptivity to rewards, potentially offering a simple, cost-effective tool for self-regulation and a non-pharmacological approach in clinical settings, particularly for conditions like anxiety and depression. Source