How to underbreathe to increase oxygen delivery to tissues & organs
Patrick McKeown: "If we want our blood to release oxygen to the tissues and organs, we need carbon dioxide. And who made that discovery? Christian Bohr. […] The Bohr effect. […] He said that as carbon dioxide increases in the blood, blood pH drops, and the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen reduces. So if I want to increase oxygen delivery throughout my body, don't hyperventilate. […] Gently slow down your breathing to the point that you are underbreathing. […]"
"All I would like you [Jakob] to do now is gently soften and slow down the speed of your breathing. Now you stop breathing. Now you're slowing down your breath. Good. And now have a really relaxed and slow gentle breath out. Good. And now a very, very soft and gentle breath in. Good. Even soften a little bit more. Good. And a relaxed and slow gentle breath out.
"So I would like you to soften it to the point that you have air hunger. It's likely you have air hunger now because I see it in your eyes. And now you're just gently slowing down your breath to the point that you feel that you're not getting enough air. Don't hold your breath. Just gently soften it and relax your breathing. Now I know it's not easy because you have cameras and everything in front of you.
"You play with your breathing and you gently underbreathe. You do the opposite to hyperventilation. Because you breathe less air, carbon dioxide can't leave the lungs as quickly. Carbon dioxide increase in the lungs, then will increase in the blood leaving the lungs, will dilate your blood vessels, improve your blood circulation, and increase oxygen delivery. Now your SpO2 is going to drop, probably one or two points, and the reason being is because your hemoglobin is going to release oxygen more readily.
"It can take a little practice to get it, but that's normally what we would expect. When you really soften and slow down your breathing, even though you're taking less air into your body, your body now is having increased oxygen delivery. I know that sounds ironic, or it sounds kind of counterintuitive, but the best way for people to get this is to practice it."
Patrick McKeown with Mads Tömörkènyi & Jakob @ 01:02:40–01:05:30 (posted 2024-07-21) https://youtu.be/-nCm8c_hVJA&t=3760