Clinical psychologist Dr. Leah Lagos explains heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback and resonant frequency breathing protocols to Shane Parrish.
Insight
Dr. Lagos: Major Investing and Performance Decisions Require a Parasympathetic State
“Because if you're going out to a competitive event or making a, Let's say a big decision about how to spend money or invest. You want to be doing that from a parasympathetic state, not a sympathetic one.”
Insight
Dr. Lagos: Consistent meal timing creates physiological safety and maximizes HRV
“What I see more frequently is that when we time the expected time that you eat, irrespective of what you're eating, but that you eat generally at the same time, let's say seven o'clock, one o'clock, six o'clock, five days a week, the body feels safe. It can pr…”
Assertion Contradicted
Lagos: MRI Research Shows Resonant Breathing Prevents Brain Blood Vessel Constriction
“My colleagues at Rutgers looked at what happens To the brain during resonant frequency breathing. And what they found through MRIs was something called vasovagal constriction. So during stressful moments, the blood vessels would constrict to shunt blood flow a…”
Insight
Dr. Lagos: Innately High HRV Correlates With Endurance Athletes
“There's no magic number, and it very much depends on your body, your system, your experiences in life. There are some people just born innately with higher levels of HRV. They tend, it's interesting, Shane, they tend to be endurance athletes.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Dr. Lagos: Moderate caffeine doesn't impact HRV, but five-plus cups harms performance
“Two cups of coffee for most people doesn't have a huge impact on heart rate variability such that if you're a performer and you have a competition, I would, I wouldn't say that having two cups of coffee is really going to impact you. Having five cups or more s…”
Assertion Partly supported
Dr. Lagos: 10-week breathing protocol automates parasympathetic stress response
“15 minutes, twice a day, 10 weeks, they've made, they've actually created a reflex where during stressful moments, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in and helps to moderate.”