Vagus Nerve Programming .

Vagus Nerve Programming .

Andre Willers

8 Aug 2013

Synopsis :

An App to reduce stress  via Vagus nerve programming using Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

 

Discussion :

1.See http://www.amazon.com/Heartmath-6400-Inner-Balance-Sensor/dp/B00BLGDKF4

This is the feedback apparatus . Costs about $100 (R1 000) plus iPad .

 

2.We need a conscious activity that influences the vagus nerve tone .

3.The link is Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

A high HRV is associated with a healthy vagus nerve tone .

 

4.Mechanism :

The big problem always has been that stressor molecules in the brain and stressor molecules in the body (eg heart)  were the same or very similar .

This gave rise to unfortunate positive feedback loops , resulting in high blood pressure , anxiety attacks , obsessive compulsive disorder , PTSD ,  etc .

Two ways to influence the system is either in the brain (meditation) or in the heart (by adjusting HRV)  or both .

 

Breathing (conscious control driver)

4.1 Inhalation : temporarily suppresses vagal nerve activity , increasing heart rate to help oxygenated blood circulate . The acidity of the blood also becomes more alkaline , affecting nerve transmission to muscles (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetany )

4.2 Exhalation : the heart rate slows . Blood acidity becomes more acid (CO2) , leading to more effective muscle control .

 

5.This app makes it easy to adjust HRV .

An earlobe sensor measures HRV in real time . This enable bio-feedback using conscious control of breathing .

Like Yoga on steroids (see http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1523 )

See Appendix A .

 

6. Note the use higher  CO2 concentrations to manipulate the system .

Even breathing in-and-out of a paper bag dramatically increases effectiveness , especially for tetany .

7.Does this mean that we can reprogram the Amygdala ?

For PTSD involving anxiety states , yes . By definition .

Anxiety means increased heart rate . This is exactly what is being trained . HRV means that high blood pressure must relax .

The system should be easy to train , since most of it is already happening naturally .

 

8.Interesting aside :

Using HRV control via breathing has an old history . But this is the first time it is measurable in real time at low cost .

Some sports involving fine muscle control (marksmanship , tabletennis , tennis ,golf ,etc) would be significantly easier if CO2 levels were enhanced to increase HRV .

If you run the first 30 meters of the 100 meter   dash breathing through a paperbag , would that count as doping ?

 

9.See “Wishful thinking” by Emma Young in NewScientist 13 July 2013 (p47)

 

10 . Another interesting aside :

Is asthma an attempt by the body to increase CO2 ?

 

 Note that too clean lungs will tend to tetany , choking airways . Unintended consequences .

Try CO2 or a paperbag .

 

Is the race in the bag ?

Andre

 

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Appendix A

CO2 and Everest

Andre Willers

12 Jul 2013

Synopsis :

CO2 levels , not O2 levels , govern high-altitude adaptation . An ordinary person can climb Everest without oxygen using a paper bag for breathing .

Discussion :

1.Flying :

The plane cabin pressure is at +-7 000 ft . Just breathe through a paper bag to counter the altitude effect .

2.Sea level :

Notice that the Yogi’s have a higher CO2 partial pressure even at sea level . Appendix I

3.What does this mean ?

An athlete will perform better if he has ventilated through a paper bag .Increasing CO2 levels .

4.Diabetes II

Higher CO2 concentrations will slow mitochondrial spins . This triggers cell-wall slower transfer of insulin . It resets the mechanism . Better control afterward .

Just breathe into a paperbag for about 10 breaths .

5. Then test blood sugar or climb Everest .

Andre

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Appendix I

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS014067360571237X/table?tableid=tbl1&tableidtype=table_id

Table

Mean (SD) partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide by altitude

PaO2=partial pressure of oxygen; PaCO2=partial pressure of carbon dioxide.

Notice that trained breathers (yoga) has higher CO2 levels than controls .

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Appendix II

CO2 Deprivation .

Andre Willers

7 Jun 2013

Synopsis:

Mammals evolved at 1000 ppm CO2 . Present 400 ppm CO2 causes many respiratory and muscle problems .

What gives ?

Short and sweet .

1.See http://breathingproblems.wordpress.com/article/urge-to-cough-reflex-is-controlled-by-dv4y2tahxi5j-25/

Coughing and mucous . Colds . Flu ?

2.Tetany .

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetany

Low CO2 causes calcium channel problems . Ref ACE blockers .

3.Smoking .

The sensors are on the alveoli , not in the blood stream . Smoking immediately relieves tetany symptoms .

4.Breathing exercises won’t help . The gas mixture has to be about 1000 ppm CO2 .

5. Brown paper bag .

Works .

6. Metered CO2 using SCUBA gear .
Just make sure the CO2 is pure .

7. Blood pressure effect .

The CO2 level affects the acidity of the blood , hence the viscosity , hence the Blood Pressure .

8. A plain paper bag works well , but where did you get them goo-goo eyes from ?

Tetanically yours ,

Andre .

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Appendix III

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetany

Lack of CO2 causes muscles to contract in contradictory fashion . This leads to reduced efficiency of muscles . Including breathing .

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx