19 Comments

re Q 13: (High levels of CO2 caused intense feelings of fear and anxiety)

This is one of the main reasons that muzzles were mandated. When you wear a muzzle you quickly become hypoxic and hypercapnic, causing fear and anxiety (among other negative effects).

They were also used as a visual reminder that there was an invisible threat.

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I had a heart attack 2 weeks before 9/11. Alone in my bedroom watching TV I sat up from a pain I had on my left side, more to armpit latitude rather than chest clutching center. I laid back down and started slow deep breathing and the pain left me. Then came back. I was able to control it. After 2 hours of this refusal to believe I was having a heart attack, I called 911 and told this dame I thought I was having a HA and she said to me "Call me back when you're sure".

She hung up on me. I called again. "Since never having had a HA, I think I am now having one" is what I said in a loud voice to wit and ambulance was finally sent. By the time they got to me I had already broken out into a full body sweat and vomited on the L/R floor in front of the EMT's.

When I reached the hospital my pain level was a 10. Why did you wait so long, the ER doctor asked me. Because my slow, deep breathing eliminated the pain and I didn't know what was happening. The doctor spun around, stared at me and said, "How did you know about that?"

Didn't take long for the ER doctor to send me to the Cath lab where they found a small end vessel leading to nowhere, had been occluded with no need for further treatment. "How did you know about that?" a stunning declaration of secret knowledge, no?

Years later my homeopath would tell me to "shut my trap" and breathe thru my nose, but I already knew that. I walk the dog, shovel snow and rake leaves now with my trap shut. Some of these tasks takes a mindset and presence of mind. If I don't do that I end up sick or choking from breathing thru my mouth too quickly. I shut my trap and breathe thru my nose and Bingo! all gone

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Breath, by James Nestor, is brilliant and changed my health and life.

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My favorite book of 2021. Fascinating.

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Same

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…..and i’m a dedicated mouth-taped sleeper. To GREAT benefit

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I skimmed this one over this morning and headed out. Decided to read it more carefully later. I'm in the middle of a somewhat stressful life event (moving), and decided to "monitor" my habitual breathing for a few hours. I was astonished at how often I caught myself breathing shallow, through my mouth, and barely exhaling. I wonder if the anxiety in such situations is caused by poor breathing or the other way around? Probably a vicious cycle of both.

Thanks so much for this one! I've know about the stress/shallow breathing connection for some time, but this article provided WAY more insight, and will actually prove helpful for my awareness and behavior change.

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Any good breastfeeding site will provide resources on the problems with pacifiers:

> https://laleche.org.uk/dummies-and-breastfeeding/

The data on the dental and jaw development issues are abundant. Just consider the following searches (in Duck Duck Go, not Google):

> pacifiers dental issues

> pacifiers jaw development

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One of my teachers, Matt Soule, is an excellent breath coach. An accomplished martial artist, published author, and an advanced trainer of the Win Hof method, he regularly leads breath workshops called Vibe. I find that participating is more impactful than only reading.

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I am confused: he says " In contrast, by learning to breathe less – that is, by taking slower, shallower breaths – we can improve the efficiency of our respiratory system and optimize the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, leading to benefits such as reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep quality, enhanced athletic performance, increased mental clarity and focus, and reduced risk of chronic diseases." then he says we need to practice deep full breathing.

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My daughter (in law) recommended this book some years ago, so I read it. It’s unusually good. Very helpful to me.

I think I’ll read it again.

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This book is a must read for every human being.

We all think we know how to breathe, but we don’t.

Here’s another good one, albeit a little more “woo woo,” but free.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=V72L6RH3OD8

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I recommend looking at the book "Cure Tooth Decay" by Ramiel Nagel. He talks about changes in skull development, natural tooth health and tooth decay cures, specifically also about how to deal with children's cavities. Also, nutrition, which apparently plays a big role in skull and jaw development.

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What about doing something on our Immune System….. that seems to have been ignored throughout Covid …. And on….

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"increased risk of dental cavities and gum disease" this was confirmed by a (holistic? naturopathic?) dentist I consulted about remedial treatment of a root canal last year. He actually puts a bit of tape over his mouth at night!

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" If anyone knows of good material on the downsides of pacifiers" sadly not, but as your recent article on breastfeeding has mentioned that is important for the infant's jaw/mouth development too. I also remember back when Dark Horse was my "go to" podcast they discussed the modern transition to chidren's foods which don't require much chewing as a/nother contributory factor.

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I’ve taken a couple of Schroth sessions for scoliosis! Do NOT go to chiropractors for scoliosis!! They work on 2 planes, scoliosis is like a 3d, twisting thing, and you’ll likely keep going back when Schroth is DIY.

Also can you do an article on gout? I’m seeing “this medicine must be taken your whole life” “don’t eat meat” etc and that seems wrong to me.

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