Have you ever tried holding your breath for as long as you can? Most people, like David from MinuteEarth, can only manage about a minute before needing to breathe again. This is because our bodies need oxygen to survive, and we have systems in place to make sure we get it regularly. However, some people have learned how to optimize these systems, allowing them to hold their breath for an incredibly long time.
The first system they optimize is the “fight or flight” response. Normally, when we start running out of oxygen, our brain panics, causing our heart to beat faster and use up even more oxygen. Expert breath holders train themselves to stay calm and keep their heartbeat steady, even when oxygen levels drop. This helps them hold their breath for much longer.
The second system is the mammalian dive reflex, an anti-drowning mechanism all mammals have. When we go underwater, our body senses the change in temperature and pressure, and our brain starts conserving oxygen. It slows down our heart rate and redirects blood flow to vital organs like the brain. Our spleen also releases oxygen-rich red blood cells into the bloodstream. By submerging their heads in water, top breath holders can extend their breath-holding time by up to 50% compared to being on land.
The third system involves diaphragm spasms. When oxygen levels get too low, our diaphragm spasms to signal that we need to breathe. Elite breath holders learn to ignore these spasms, allowing them to hold their breath for several more minutes. Some can endure over 75 spasms, holding their breath for more than 11 minutes!
While these techniques are fascinating, it’s important to remember that they require extensive training and can be dangerous. It’s not something you should try without proper guidance and supervision. Instead, appreciate the incredible capabilities of the human body and the dedication of those who push its limits.
Practice a calm breathing exercise to understand how staying calm can affect your body’s oxygen use. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on taking slow, deep breaths. Count to four as you inhale, hold for four, and exhale for four. Notice how your heart rate changes and how you feel more relaxed.
Conduct a mini-research project on the mammalian dive reflex. Find out how it works in different mammals and write a short report. Share your findings with the class and discuss how this reflex helps in extreme breath-holding.
Simulate diaphragm spasms by holding your breath for as long as you can while sitting comfortably. Notice the point at which your diaphragm starts to spasm. Reflect on how it feels and why it’s a natural response of your body.
Prepare questions and conduct an interview with a local swimming coach or a diving instructor about breath control techniques. Ask them about the importance of staying calm and how they train athletes to manage their breath effectively.
Design a poster that highlights the importance of safety when practicing breath-holding techniques. Include tips on what to do and what to avoid, emphasizing the need for supervision and proper training.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, this is David from MinuteEarth. When I try to hold my breath for as long as possible, I can only last for about a minute before I need to gasp for air. That’s because humans need oxygen to survive, so our bodies have several systems designed to ensure we get new supplies at regular intervals. However, the best breath holders in the world have figured out how to optimize three of these survival systems, allowing them to hold their breath for an astonishing amount of time.
The first system they optimize is our fight or flight response. Our brain understandably feels threatened when we start to use up our oxygen. This panic can cause our heart to beat faster, which ironically leads us to expend more oxygen than we would have if we hadn’t panicked in the first place. The best breath holders can avoid this cycle; through intensive training, they remain calm and keep their heartbeat steady even as oxygen runs low, allowing them to double their breath-holding time.
The second system they optimize is the mammalian dive reflex. All mammals, including humans, have developed an anti-drowning mechanism for when they unexpectedly find themselves underwater. When submerged, a branch of one of our cranial nerves senses the temperature and pressure change and alerts our brain to begin rationing oxygen. Our brain tells our heart to slow down, which reduces the rate at which we use oxygen. Blood vessels in our skin and limbs constrict, directing more blood flow—containing oxygen—towards our brain and other vital organs. Additionally, our spleen contracts, sending oxygen-rich red blood cells into our bloodstream. The best breath holders take advantage of this adaptation by submerging their heads in water, allowing them to hold their breath up to 50% longer than they can on dry land.
The third system they optimize is the diaphragm spasm. When oxygen levels fall below a certain point, it causes the diaphragm to spasm, signaling the lungs to get more oxygen as soon as possible. Elite breath holders have learned to ignore these spasms, allowing them to hold their breath for several more minutes. Some have trained themselves to let their oxygen levels fall just before they would lose consciousness, before finally gasping for air. The world’s best breath holder can withstand more than 75 of these distress spasms, enabling him to hold his breath for over 11 minutes; that’s long enough to watch this video multiple times.
You probably shouldn’t try to optimize your body in this way, and you definitely shouldn’t let someone else compromise your identity. That’s why I use Dashlane to keep me safe online. In addition to generating a unique strong password whenever I sign up for a new account, it also alerts me if there’s been a data breach at any of my regular sites. Dashlane also offers a secure multi-country VPN for all my devices and security alerts if it finds my data on the dark web. To download your own free 30-day trial of Dashlane Premium, go to Dashlane.com/MinuteEarth. The first 200 viewers can also get 10% off a yearly Dashlane Premium membership using the code MINUTEEARTH at checkout.
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This version maintains the original content while removing any informal language or unnecessary details.
Breath – The process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs. – During exercise, your breath becomes faster to supply more oxygen to your muscles.
Oxygen – A gas that is essential for most living organisms to produce energy through respiration. – Plants release oxygen into the air as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
Systems – Groups of organs that work together to perform complex functions in the body. – The digestive and respiratory systems are crucial for providing energy and oxygen to the body.
Heart – A muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. – The heart beats faster during physical activity to increase blood flow to the muscles.
Reflex – An automatic response to a stimulus that occurs without conscious thought. – The knee-jerk reflex helps doctors assess the health of the nervous system.
Mammals – A class of warm-blooded animals that have hair or fur and produce milk to feed their young. – Humans, dogs, and whales are all examples of mammals.
Temperature – A measure of the warmth or coldness of an environment or body. – Maintaining a stable body temperature is essential for the survival of mammals.
Pressure – The force exerted by a substance per unit area on another substance. – Blood pressure is an important indicator of cardiovascular health.
Diaphragm – A muscle located below the lungs that plays a crucial role in breathing. – The diaphragm contracts and flattens when you inhale, allowing your lungs to expand.
Training – The process of teaching or learning a skill or behavior, often through practice and exercise. – Athletes undergo rigorous training to improve their strength and endurance.
