Unexpected Cardiovascular Oscillations at 0.1 Hz During Slow Speech Guided Breathing (OM Chanting) at 0.05 Hz

Abstract

Slow breathing at 0.1 Hz (i.e., 6 cycles per minute, cpm) leads to strong cardiovascular oscillations. However, the impact of breathing below 6 cpm is rarely addressed. We investigated the influence of OM chanting, an ancient Indian mantra, with approx. 3 respiratory cpm (0.05 Hz) on the synchronisation of heart period (RR), respiration (RESP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Nine healthy, trained speech practitioners chanted three sequences of five subsequent OM with 2 min pauses in between. Each single OM chanting consisted of taking a deep breath and a long “OM” during expiration and lasted approx. 20 s. ECG, respiration and blood pressure were recorded continuously, of which the RR tachogram, RESP and SBP were derived. Synchronisation between the signals was computed using the phase difference between two signals. During OM chanting synchronisation among the oscillations of RR, SBP and RESP was significantly increased compared to rest. Furthermore, OM chanting at breathing frequencies between 0.046 and 0.057 Hz resulted in 0.1 Hz oscillations in RR and SBP. In conclusion, OM chanting strongly synchronized cardiorespiratory and blood pressure oscillations. Unexpected oscillations at 0.1 Hz in SBP and RR appear at breathing frequencies of approx. 0.05 Hz. Such frequency doubling may originate from an interaction of breathing frequency with endogenous Mayer waves.

Modulation Effects of Slow, Paced Breathing with Breath Hold on Brain and Heart in Healthy Adults: A Comprehensive Analysis

“…2, are in line with the previous studies showing the highest HRV at 6 cpm termed as "resonant" frequency (0.1 Hz) [23], [42]. Increased second harmonic amplitude is observed during slow-paced symmetric breath-hold, which is in line with our pilot study [28], [29], which was subsequently reported by Gerard et al [43]. Highest amplitude of HRV is observed at 6 cpm even for SBH condition, suggesting that it is the coherent frequency even for symmetric breathing with breath-hold.…”

On the Natural Intelligence and Consciousness of the Immune System and its Relationship with the Brain

“…Overall, the evidence suggests that meditation is a powerful tool that can have a positive impact on the brain and the immune system (Jamil et al, 2023). Consistent with these observations, it was demonstrated that cerebral blood flow increases during chanting meditation (Khalsa et al, 2009), and repeated chanting of a mantra was associated with increased synchronization of the rhythms of respiration, heart period, and systolic blood pressure (Hotho and Cysarz, 2022).…”

“…Among the different types of meditative practices, religious chanting plays a significant role because it has a peculiar religious/spiritual dimension, a dimension that has a significant impact on the state of mind (Dick et al, 2014;Hotho and Cysarz, 2022). Chanting is a meditative practice that is prevalent worldwide and plays a significant role in many traditions, either religious or secular.…”

On the Natural Intelligence and Consciousness of the Immune System and Its Relationship with the Brain

“…Overall, the evidence suggests that meditation is a powerful tool that can have a positive impact on the brain and the immune system (Jamil et al 2023). Consistent with these observations, it was demonstrated that cerebral blood flow increases during chanting meditation (Khalsa et al 2009), and repeated chanting of a mantra was associated with increased synchronization of the rhythms of respiration, heart period, and systolic blood pressure (Hotho et al 2022).…”

“…Among the different types of meditative practices, religious chanting plays a significant role because it has a peculiar religious/spiritual dimension, a dimension that has a significant impact on the state of mind (Dick et al 2014;Hotho et al 2022). Chanting is a meditative practice that is prevalent worldwide and plays a significant role in many traditions, either religious or secular.…”