Slow Breathing Boosts Risk-Taking in 41 Volunteers as Longer Exhales Heighten Reward Sensitivity
Updated
Updated · SciTechDaily · Jun 28
Slow Breathing Boosts Risk-Taking in 41 Volunteers as Longer Exhales Heighten Reward Sensitivity
1 articles · Updated · SciTechDaily · Jun 28
Summary
A 2:8 inhale-exhale pattern made 41 healthy volunteers choose riskier options more often in lab decision tasks, according to a Neuron study led by Prof. Soyoung Q Park's team.
fMRI and physiological tracking showed longer exhales slowed heart rate, increased heart rate variability, and amplified responses to potential rewards without changing sensitivity to possible losses.
The strongest brain changes appeared in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and precuneus, linking breath-driven cardiac shifts to reward processing and decision behavior.
Researchers say the findings provide evidence that conscious breathing can actively shape choices, supporting low-cost breath-based interventions for self-regulation and potentially for anxiety, depression, and eating behavior.