Conscious breathing enhances bidirectional cortical-autonomic modulation: dynamics of EEG band power and heart rate variability

Our results demonstrate that conscious breathing enhances bidirectional cortical-autonomic modulation through frequency-specific dynamic neural mechanisms. These findings support a closed-loop model of physiological regulation driven by neural-respiratory entrainment and suggest that respiration can serve as a top-down mechanism for autonomic control. By clarifying how conscious breathing shapes brain-body dynamics, this work lays the foundation for research on neural self-regulation and supports the development of non-pharmacological interventions for improving mental and physiological health.