Information about Nasal Cycle
The nasal cycle is the rhythmic, alternating side-to-side fluctuation in nasal airflow. It is known to be regulated by the autonomic nervous system probably from the centres located in brainstem. [1]
Nasal Cycle is the name given by western medicine for the readily noticeable pattern in human breathing - we do not breath equally (50:50) using both nostrils. At any given time, either the left or the right nostril is more actively breathing. Further, this one-sidedness reverses on a periodic basis. Much research has been done on the duration of nasal cycle.[2]
Although readily noticeable, for some reason, this phenomenon has received very little attention under Western Medicine. The phenomenon was reportedly "first noted" by Kayser, a German rhinologist, in 1895.
On the other hand, this alternate-nostril-breathing is central to various breathing practices such as Pranayama, in Yoga and also in various systems of Alternative medicines. As per these systems, breathing pattern is directly linked to the working of our minds. Balancing the left and right sides of the mind is ultimately desired.
In the field of Neurosciences, researchers can measure 'how active' each cerebral hemisphere is, at baseline and while performing specific tasks. It has been known for a long time that an ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity exists in humans and animals. At any given time, either the left OR the right hemisphere of the brain is 'more active' than the other and this hemispherical dominance changes periodically. Recent findings in neuroscience[3] have revealed that the nasal cycle is intricately linked to the ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity. Whenever the nasal cycle switches sides, the hemispheric dominance also seems to change. Although a clear association between the two has been established, causality is still arguable - whether the nostril-change causes the change in hemispherical-predominance or vice-versa.
Pranayama (Sanskrit:
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Nasal Cycle is the name given by western medicine for the readily noticeable pattern in human breathing - we do not breath equally (50:50) using both nostrils. At any given time, either the left or the right nostril is more actively breathing. Further, this one-sidedness reverses on a periodic basis. Much research has been done on the duration of nasal cycle.[2]
Although readily noticeable, for some reason, this phenomenon has received very little attention under Western Medicine. The phenomenon was reportedly "first noted" by Kayser, a German rhinologist, in 1895.
On the other hand, this alternate-nostril-breathing is central to various breathing practices such as Pranayama, in Yoga and also in various systems of Alternative medicines. As per these systems, breathing pattern is directly linked to the working of our minds. Balancing the left and right sides of the mind is ultimately desired.
In the field of Neurosciences, researchers can measure 'how active' each cerebral hemisphere is, at baseline and while performing specific tasks. It has been known for a long time that an ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity exists in humans and animals. At any given time, either the left OR the right hemisphere of the brain is 'more active' than the other and this hemispherical dominance changes periodically. Recent findings in neuroscience[3] have revealed that the nasal cycle is intricately linked to the ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity. Whenever the nasal cycle switches sides, the hemispheric dominance also seems to change. Although a clear association between the two has been established, causality is still arguable - whether the nostril-change causes the change in hemispherical-predominance or vice-versa.
See also
- Lateralization of brain function - to know more about the left and right cerebral hemispherical functions and the pseudoscientific exaggerations surrounding this concept.
References
1. ^ Gotlib T, Samolinski B, Arcimowicz M. Spontaneous changes of nasal patency, the nasal cycle, classification, frequency, and clinical significance Otolaryngol Pol 56(4):421-5. 2002
2. ^ A century of Research on the Duration of the Nasal Cycle
3. ^ Khalsa, Shannahoff. "The ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity.", Int J Neurosci.70(3-4):285-98., 1993. Retrieved on 2007-02-24
2. ^ A century of Research on the Duration of the Nasal Cycle
3. ^ Khalsa, Shannahoff. "The ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity.", Int J Neurosci.70(3-4):285-98., 1993. Retrieved on 2007-02-24
autonomic nervous system (ANS) (or visceral nervous system) is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system, maintaining homeostasis in the body. These maintenance activities are primarily performed without conscious control or sensation.
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The brain stem is the lower part of the brain, adjoining and structurally continuous with the spinal cord. Most sources consider the pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain all to be part of the brainstem.
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Breathing transports oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out of the body. Aerobic organisms require oxygen to create energy via respiration, in the form of energy-rich molecules such as glucose. The medical term for normal relaxed breathing is eupnoea.
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Yoga (Sanskrit: योग Yoga, IPA: [joːgə]) is a group of ancient spiritual practices originating in India.
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NCCAM classifications [1]
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
See also
Complementary and alternative medicine Complementary medicine Alternative medicine
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
See also
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cerebral hemisphere (hemispherium cerebrale) is defined as one of the two regions of the brain that are delineated by the body's median plane. The brain can thus be described as being divided into left and right cerebral hemispheres.
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Ultradian characterizes recurrent periods or cycles repeated frequently throughout a 24-hour day
The descriptive term ultradian is used in sleep research to describe individual stages of sleep that occur within intervals of an organism's circadian rhythm, and especially to
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The descriptive term ultradian is used in sleep research to describe individual stages of sleep that occur within intervals of an organism's circadian rhythm, and especially to
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In statistics, an association comes from two variables that are related and is often confused with causation though association does not imply a causal relationship.
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Causality or causation denotes the relationship between one event (called cause) and another event (called effect) which is the consequence (result) of the first. [1]
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Left brain functions Right brain functions
sequential simultaneous
analytical holistic
verbal imagistic
logical intuitive
linear algorithmic processing holistical algorithmic processing
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sequential simultaneous
analytical holistic
verbal imagistic
logical intuitive
linear algorithmic processing holistical algorithmic processing
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