Respiration influences memory retrieval, LMU study finds
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have investigated how breathing rhythm affects memory recall. The findings suggest that inhalation and exhalation play distinct roles in the process of retrieving information.
Munich, Germany – Scientists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) have established a link between breathing rhythm and memory performance. The study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, indicates that inhalation and exhalation have different functions during memory retrieval.
In the experiment, 18 participants learned to associate images with words. They were subsequently asked to recall these associations while their brain activity was recorded via EEG and their respiration was monitored. Researchers observed that participants were more successful at recalling the information when memory cues were presented during or just before an inhalation.
"The EEG data showed that the actual memory reconstruction tends to occur during the subsequent exhalation," stated lead researcher Thomas Schreiner. "This points to a functional division: inhalation is an opportune moment to receive a memory cue, while exhalation supports the brain's process of reconstructing the memory."
The findings suggest that the respiratory cycle can act as a natural pacemaker for memory processes, highlighting the intricate interaction between the body and the brain. The study identified specific brain signals associated with successful recall, including reduced alpha and beta brainwave activity and the reactivation of neural patterns learned during the initial task.
While individual differences were noted in the extent to which brain processes synchronized with breathing, the research suggests that the rhythmic nature of respiration plays a significant role in how we encode and retrieve information.