Functional Correlation between Breathing and Emotional States

Abstract

Breathing changes in response to emotional states, such as sadness, happiness, anxiety or fear. On the other hand, emotional states change the pattern, rate and depth of breathing. A complex coordination, not yet fully understood, involving widely dispersed brain centres in the cerebral cortex, limbic system, medullary and pontine areas, together control the correlation between breathing and emotion. This intricate correlation between breathing and emotion is essential to synchronize metabolism, energetic and other physiological parameters of homeostasis with changes in the environment. Adept correlation of breathing with emotional states not only maintains homeostasis but is also essential for survival.