Deep, Calming Breaths May Actually Increase Risk-Taking Behavior

Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin found that prolonged exhalation breathing changed gamble choices in 41 participants.

The slow-breathing condition increased parasympathetic activity and made people more willing to accept risky bets.

The effect appeared to come from greater sensitivity to potential rewards, not from being less sensitive to losses.

MRI results linked the breathing state to activity in decision-related brain regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and precuneus.

The study suggests a common breathing technique could influence judgment in high-stakes training and performance settings.