Summary
In this episode of Star Talk Sports Edition, Dr. Leah Lagos, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in performance psychology, joins Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice to discuss the benefits of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback and resonant frequency in achieving peak performance. Dr. Lagos explains how breathing at resonant frequency can realign the nervous system and deliver more blood flow to the brain, resulting in physiological changes such as changes in connective tissue and increased cognitive dexterity. She has worked with athletes and people with post-concussion syndrome, helping them reduce anxiety, improve mood, and enhance focus through biofeedback. The conversation also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and how HRV training can help individuals manage the sustained state of hyper vigilance and trauma resulting from the pandemic.
The podcast episode also discusses the importance of HRV biofeedback in physiological recovery from concussion. A concussion is not just an injury to the brain, but to the entire autonomic nervous system, which can cause sympathetic dominance and parasympathetic under activation. HRV biofeedback can help realign the autonomic nervous system and increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to improvements in cognitive functioning, focus, and pro-social behaviors. The doctor also discusses the application of HRV biofeedback in other areas, such as helping Wall Street traders make objective, consistent decisions and increasing empathy and control over inner biases in people of all walks of life.
Dr. Lagos also discusses the benefits of HRV training in controlling the body's response to stress and achieving peak performance. By using HRV training, athletes can amp up or let go faster as needed, leading to greater precision and control. Additionally, there is a cardiovascular energy savings resulting in greater endurance. The technique can also be applied to other areas of clinical medicine, such as phobias and fears. Dr. Lagos has written a book, "Heart Breath Mind: Train Your Heart to Conquer Stress and Achieve Success," which provides insights and techniques for individuals to use in their own homes.
The conversation also touches on the difference between mindfulness and meditation, and how their technique can help individuals shift from a fight or flight state into a flow state during performance moments. The speaker believes that their technique can be life-changing for many people and hopes to educate the world about its benefits. The conversation ends with the host thanking the speaker for their insights and discussing the intersection of sports and science. Overall, the episode explores the mind-body connection and how it can be harnessed for peak performance.
