Exploring Breathing: A Unique Process That Can Be Both Voluntary and Involuntary

Why Breathe?

This may be a simple question that we have never bothered to ask ourselves. It may also be a striking one considering that breathing is one of the few physiological processes that we are acutely aware of, yet usually neglect to think of. Unlike heart beating, blinking, arm swings, we may be forced to acknowledge our ventilation – interruptions to normal breathing is commonly one of the most noticeable cold symptoms (“How your breathing patterns affect your brain,” n.d.-a). Many also recognize the benefits an optimal breathing rate brings to us. It optimizes gas exchange that allows for maximal intake of oxygen. This also facilitates the exhalation of waste carbon dioxide. However, the underlying reason that we require such a complicated apparatus – a whole respiratory system – lies under our considerable size: we can’t breathe through our skin (due to our limited surface area to volume ratio) like how some amphibians and insects do.

Little Known Facts About Breathing

1. No. Breathing isn’t respiration. Although the terms breathing and respiration are used interchangeably in everyday language, they have strictly different meanings in the biological context. The term ‘breathing’ refers to the physiological process of ventilation. In contrast, ‘respiration’ is a metabolic process that generates the main universal energy currency: ATP.
2. Both voluntary and involuntary. Breathing can be both voluntary and involuntary. In fact, this is a crucial mechanism that keeps you alive! The key differentiation between voluntary and involuntary actions are whether it involves conscious thoughts or not. That said, wouldn’t individuals without a functional autonomic nervous system be unable to ventilate independently and suffocate as a result? Unfortunately, and fortunately, this statement holds true, though this situation is extremely rare. Moreover, medical breakthroughs such as ventilators also reduced the mortality rate.
3. 6 Liters? An adult human male typically has a total lung capacity of 6 liters of air, but only a fraction of this capacity is utilized during normal breathing (How your body controls breathing, n.d.).
4. Why do we yawn? The exact reason why humans yawn is still a mystery – what we do know is that yawning is a type of deep breathing that brings more oxygen into the lungs, triggered by tiredness or boredom (or those around you).
5. Breath with your nose Surprisingly, breathing through the nose is healthier than mouth breathing. Nasal hairs filters, warms, and humidifies the air, reducing allergies and asthma.

*If you have any concerns about this, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

References

(How your body controls breathing, n.d.)
How your body controls breathing. (n.d.). NHLBI, NIH. Retrieved July 29, 2024, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/lungs/body-controls-breathing

(“How your breathing patterns affect your brain,” n.d.)
How your breathing patterns affect your brain. (n.d.). Psychology Today. Retrieved July 29, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cravings/202211/how-your-breathing-patterns-affect-your-brain