The Secrets of Extreme Breath Holding

TL;DR

Elite breath holders can hold their breath for an astonishing amount of time by hacking their survival systems.

Transcript

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 make sure we get new supplies at regular intervals. But the best breath holders in the world have fig... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥹 Humans have several survival systems related to breathing, which can be hacked to increase breath-holding time.
• 🥹 Remaining calm and controlling heartbeat helps breath holders conserve oxygen and extend breath-holding duration.
• 🥰 Triggering the mammalian dive reflex by putting the head underwater slows heart rate and optimizes oxygen usage.
• 🥹 Ignoring diaphragm spasms allows breath holders to hold their breath for several more minutes by utilizing remaining oxygen.
• 🥹 Elite breath holders can hold their breath for astonishing amounts of time, surpassing 11 minutes in some cases.
• 🥹 Breath holding should not be attempted without proper training and caution.
• 💁 Dashlane is a secure online platform that helps protect personal information and prevent identity theft.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do elite breath holders remain calm and steady their heartbeat while holding their breath?

Elite breath holders undergo intensive training to remain calm and control their heartbeat, ensuring they don't expend excess oxygen through panic. This allows them to double their breath-holding time.

Q: What is the mammalian dive reflex and how do breath holders utilize it?

The mammalian dive reflex is an anti-drowning mechanism present in all mammals, including humans. By putting their heads underwater, breath holders trigger this reflex, which slows heart rate, directs blood flow to vital organs, and allows them to hold their breath for up to 50% longer.

Q: Why do elite breath holders repeatedly ignore diaphragm spasms while holding their breath?

When oxygen levels fall below a certain point, the diaphragm starts spasming in an attempt to obtain more oxygen. Elite breath holders have trained themselves to ignore these spasms because there is still some oxygen left at that point, enabling them to hold their breath for several more minutes.

Q: How long can the world's best breath holder hold their breath?

The world's best breath holder can withstand over 75 distress spasms and hold their breath for more than 11 minutes, which is long enough to watch the referenced video 4 times in a row.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Humans need oxygen to survive, but the best breath holders have figured out how to hack three survival systems to hold their breath for longer.

• By remaining calm and keeping their heartbeat steady, breath holders can avoid expending excess oxygen through panic, effectively doubling their breath-holding time.

• By putting their heads underwater, breath holders take advantage of the mammalian dive reflex, which slows heart rate and directs blood flow to vital organs, allowing them to hold their breath for up to 50% longer.