New Brain Circuit Discovery Links Slow Breathing to Reduced Anxiety

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a brain circuit linking voluntary breathing control to emotional states, involving the anterior cingulate cortex, pons, and medulla. This circuit can slow breathing and reduce anxiety, providing a neurological basis for practices like yoga and mindfulness. The findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for anxiety and panic disorders, with the possibility of developing drugs to regulate breathing and alleviate stress.