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Help with air hunger - I have anxiety and feel like I can't breathe! - Video Insight

Howard Cooper's - Rapid ChangeWorks

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Howard Cooper addresses air hunger as a symptom of anxiety, explaining its ties to breathing patterns and offering practical solutions for improvement.

In this video, Howard Cooper discusses a phenomenon known as 'air hunger,' which many clients experience in relation to anxiety. He shares his personal journey of grappling with this unsettling sensation and describes the physiological underpinnings tied to over-breathing and its impact on carbon dioxide levels in the body. Cooper emphasizes that while anxiety triggers the perception of shortness of breath, it often leads to dysfunctional breathing patterns, exacerbated by the common advice to take deep breaths, which paradoxically can worsen the condition. He introduces methods to better manage air hunger by promoting reduced breathing techniques that can help alter the body’s sensitivity to carbon dioxide and ultimately improve overall respiratory health and emotional stability.

Content rate: B

The content provides a well-rounded exploration of air hunger in relation to anxiety, backed by personal experience and practical exercises. Although some claims are based on common practices and theories, there are elements that require further corroboration through scientific research for robust validation.

anxiety breathing health wellness psychology

Claims:

Claim: Over-breathing can lead to decreased carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream.

Evidence: The video explains the physiological connection between breath patterns and CO2 levels, stating that excessive breathing can diminish CO2 in the blood, influencing the urge to breathe.

Counter evidence: While this is widely accepted in some psychological and physiological literature, other studies argue that breathing patterns may not significantly impact anxiety levels directly, suggesting that the relationship is more complex.

Claim rating: 8 / 10

Claim: Practicing shallow breathing can help alleviate the sensation of air hunger caused by anxiety.

Evidence: Cooper describes how reducing breath intensity allows the body to acclimatize to higher carbon dioxide levels, counteracting the cycle of panic associated with air hunger.

Counter evidence: However, some breathing experts argue that without qualified guidance, individuals practicing shallow breathing might inadvertently induce feelings of panic, especially if not trained properly.

Claim rating: 7 / 10

Claim: A control pause can be used as a test to measure carbon dioxide tolerance and respiratory health.

Evidence: The video outlines a method for individuals to assess their carbon dioxide sensitivity by monitoring the seconds they can comfortably hold their breath, relating this to their anxiety and air hunger symptoms.

Counter evidence: Some practitioners contend that while this method can provide insight, it lacks comprehensive clinical validation for use as a standalone diagnostic tool.

Claim rating: 9 / 10

Model version: 0.25 ,chatGPT:gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

# BS Evaluation of Transcript **BS Score: 3/10** ### Reasoning and Explanations: 1. **Personal Experience and Empathy**: The speaker, Howard Cooper, shares his own struggles with "air hunger," which adds a layer of credibility. Personal anecdotes can resonate with viewers facing similar issues, making the content relatable. 2. **Introduction of Credible Concepts**: The explanation of "air hunger" and its relationship to anxiety and carbon dioxide levels appears grounded in science. The mention of consulting professional medical advice is responsible, reducing the level of BS. 3. **Advice and Techniques**: The speaker suggests methods to manage air hunger and anxiety, such as "shallow breathing," which has implications in some breathing techniques known in therapeutic contexts. However, the advice might lack a comprehensive scientific backing. 4. **Analogies**: The comparison of building tolerance to carbon dioxide levels with the analogy of alcohol consumption can be seen as somewhat oversimplified. Although analogies are useful, they can sometimes mislead or trivialize complex issues, which slightly increases the BS factor. 5. **Overgeneralization**: There is a slight risk of overgeneralizing experiences with breathing patterns and anxiety symptoms. While many may identify with "air hunger," presenting a one-size-fits-all approach can lead to misunderstandings of individual experiences. 6. **Call to Action**: The invitation to work one-on-one for further help toward the end of the transcript may hint at self-interest, creating a perception of having a monetization agenda. This is not necessarily a "BS" aspect, but it does lend a somewhat skeptical note to the overall message. 7. **Potential for Misinterpretation**: The suggestion to engage in certain breathing exercises may lead untrained individuals to attempt something potentially harmful without proper guidance, which also increases the level of concern. Overall, while some parts reflect genuine concern and understanding, the combination of personal anecdotes, generalizations, and appeals for further consultation contribute to a moderate level of BS present in the transcript.

### Key Takeaways on Air Hunger and Anxiety 1. **Definition of Air Hunger**: A sensation where individuals feel unable to take a deep breath or feel short of breath, often linked to anxiety. 2. **Personal Experience**: The speaker, Howard Cooper, shares his struggles with air hunger for years, which led him to seek medical advice and realize it stemmed from anxiety rather than a physical issue. 3. **Carbon Dioxide Role**: - Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced when the body uses oxygen and increases in the bloodstream trigger the urge to breathe. - Over-breathing (often as a response to anxiety) leads to reduced CO2 levels, making the body more sensitive to CO2 fluctuations. 4. **Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns**: Patterns of over-breathing can create a cycle of air hunger, where the individual feels they can’t breathe effectively due to low CO2 tolerance. 5. **Recommended Breathing Techniques**: - **Reverse the Pattern**: Train yourself to breathe more gently and avoid deep, big breaths which can exacerbate air hunger. - **Nasal Breathing**: Emphasize breathing through the nose instead of the mouth to regulate airflow and reduce anxiety. - **Mild Air Hunger**: Practice exercises that allow for short periods of mild air hunger, gradually acclimatizing your body to higher CO2 levels without triggering panic. 6. **Control Pause Test**: A simple test to measure CO2 tolerance: - Breathe normally through the nose, then pinch your nose after exhaling and see how long you can comfortably hold your breath before feeling a strong urge to breathe. 7. **Tracking Progress**: - Document your control pause results to gauge improvement. - Aim for gradual increases in breath-holding durations to enhance CO2 tolerance. 8. **Long-term Commitment**: Incremental improvement takes time and commitment, similar to building tolerance in alcohol consumption – small, consistent exposure is key. 9. **Overall Benefits**: As CO2 tolerance increases, not only does air hunger decrease, but general anxiety levels may also lower. 10. **Seek Professional Help**: Always consult a doctor if respiratory issues persist to rule out other medical conditions. ### Final Note: The overarching message is that overcoming air hunger associated with anxiety is achievable through awareness, proper breathing techniques, and persistent practice.