A recent study has found that the rhythm of breathing may play a role in how people remember information. Researchers from Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, working with colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the University of Oxford, examined how respiration affects memory retrieval.
In the experiment, 18 participants learned to associate 120 images with specific words. They were then asked to recall these associations before and after a two-hour nap. During these tasks, researchers recorded both brain activity using EEG and the participants' breathing patterns.
The results, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, indicate that participants recalled words and images more effectively when reminder cues were given during or just before inhalation. Dr. Thomas Schreiner, who led the research group at LMU’s Department of Psychology, said: "In the EEG, it becomes apparent, however, that the actual memory retrieval tends to happen during subsequent exhalation." He added: "Our data thus points to a sort of functional bifurcation: Inhalation is a favorable moment to receive the reminder cue, while exhalation is a favorable moment for the actual reconstruction of the memory in the brain." According to Schreiner, this suggests that respiratory rhythm influences how perception and remembering are timed.
EEG data revealed two key indicators linked to successful memory recall. One was a reduction in alpha and beta brainwave activity, which could mean that the brain is focusing on retrieving memories. The other indicator was 'memory reactivations,' where neural patterns present during learning appeared again during recall.
Participants maintained their normal breathing throughout the experiment while focusing on recalling information. Esteban Bullón Tarrasó, first author of the study, noted: "To find out whether useful everyday strategies can be derived from our findings, we would need studies with targeted respiratory manipulation." He also mentioned that further research is needed into older memories but suggested that similar mechanisms may apply.
The study also found individual differences in how closely breathing synchronized with memory-related brain processes. Researchers concluded that some people’s respiration is more efficiently linked to neural activity than others', which may influence how well they remember things. As stated by Schreiner: "Respiration is a natural pacemaker for memory processes, highlighting how closely our bodies and brains interact."
