Nasal cycle
Nadi Shodhan Pranayam, (anulom- vilom pranayam) and modern medicine
Dr. Avinash Joshi
Psychiatrist
Nasal cycle
Nasal cycle is the alternating obstruction of the nostrils in humans. It is a physiological congestion of the nasal concha due to selective activation of one half of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by the hypothalamus. It should not be confused with pathological congestion .Although yogis knew it since ancient times, it was first described by German rhinologist, Kayser in 1895 Nostrils have erectile tissues similar to those found in male and female sex organs. Increased sympathetic tone on one side leads to septal vasoconstricion and decreased resistance to airflow on that side.
Nasal cycle is found in 80% of normal population. Nasal cycle has a duration of 40 minuets to 2.5 hours as measured by rhinomanometry. The dependent nostril is blocked while sleeping in lateral position. Some postulate that this alternating positional obstruction has the purpose of causing a person to turn from one side to the other while sleeping.
Autonomic Nervous System(ANS)
ANS is regulated by hypothalamus. Most organs including the cerebral cortex are innervated by fibers from sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), that have opposing effects.SNS prepares us for fight or flight response while PNS activation leads to rest, conservation and restoration of energy, reduction in heart rate and blood pressour, facilitation of digestive processes and elimination of waste products.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF ANS
ANS has lateralized ultradian rhythms.SNS dominates one side of the body while PNS dominates on the opposite side( including cerebral hemispheres), and then the two systems switch dominance on the two sides . Each dominance lasting for 40 minuets to2.5 hours. The secretions of catecholamine on both sides of the body is coupled with nasal cycles .Hence minor differences in blood pressour and blood sugar measurements on both sides may be seen at the same time. studies have shown that this lateralized ultradian rhythm is coupled to the ultradian rhythms of neuroendocrine, cardiovascular and insulin systems. Catecholamine secretion on the two sides varies periodically .It has been proposed that the nasal cycle is a marker for psychophysiological states. Right nostril dominance marks activity phase of BRAC(Basic Rest Activity Cycle) and left nostril dominance marks the rest phase.
Nasal cycle is unique marker of lateralized rhythms of the ultradian rhythm of cerebral rhythmic activity during awake period as well as during sleep.Ultradian rhythms are the circadian rhythms in body whose duration is less than twenty-four hours. Infradian rhythms have rhythms have duration more than twenty four hours, like menstrual cycles.
potential of UFNB(unilateral forced nasal breathing). The ANS is thought of mostly as an efferent fiber system however the vagus is a mixed nerve and 80% of the fibers are afferent sensory fibers, carrying information to the brain from head, neck, thorax and abdomen.
This afferent fibre system makes Vagal Nerve Stimulation(VNS), a useful therapeutic tool. The influences of the left and right vagus nerve are not identical. Left VNS is therapeutic and right VNS can lead to increased cardiac instability .
VNS was approved by US FDA for the treatment epilepsy and in 2005, for treatment of resistant depression in 2009. Yogis refer to vagus nerve as ‘mind nerve’. The effect of Vagal Nerve Stimulation on depression, OCD and other anxiety disorders can be achieved by left UFNB which is non invasive.
Nadishodhan
According to ancient Indian wisdom nadis (tubes or pipes )are the channels through which energies of the subtle body are said to flow. They connect at special points called chakras. Nadis are not nerves. but rather channels for the flow of consciousness, just as the negative or positive forces of electricity flow through the complex circuits. As per this wisdom there are 72000 or more such channels through which the stimuli flow like an electric current from one point to the other.
Unilateral forced nasal breathing (UFNB)
The ancient yogic technique of UFNB is being studied for more than 25 years. The CNS rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric activity and its coupled physiological and psychological correlates are the basis for the use of UFNB. yogis believed that UFNB has effects not only on the brain but throughout the periphery .UFNB selectively stimulates the contra lateral cerebral hemisphere and the ipsilateral branch of the SNS.
EEG studies
Subjects were asked to forced breath through the more congested nostril for 10-20 minets followed by the other side . The continuous EEG recording showed that UFNB increased EEG activity in the contra lateral hemispheres regardless of the phase of the nasal cycle.EEG activity generated by nasal (verses oral ) breathing is produced by a neural mechanism in the superior nasal meatus.this activating effect could also be produced by air insufflations into the upper nasal cavity without inflating the lungs.
Local anesthesia of the nasal mucosal membrane suppressed the cortical effects of airflow stimulation. The yogis postulate that UFNB increases the cognitive performance in the contra lateral hemispheres.
One study showed under resting conditions, that right nasal dominance is coupled to relatively greater verbal performance (left brain activity), left nasal dominance was coupled to relatively better spatial skills(Right brain activity) . Thus it was shown that thirty minets of R-UFNB increased left hemispheric cognitive performance and L-UFNB increased right hemispheric performance Various studies have demonstrated the effects of UFNB on several autonomic dependent phenomena. R-UFNB significantly increased blood sugar level and L- UFNB lowered it. R-UFNB increased HR and BP compared to L-UFNB , which lowered HR and BP. Metabolism – Right and left- UFNB increased metabolism as measured by oxygen consumption.
Skin resistance – L-UFNB increased Galvanic Skin Response indicating reduction in sympathetic activity supplying the sweat glands. Alternate nostril breathing was found effective for treating angina pectoris in an open clinical trial. Two clinical trials have used L-UFNB for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with substantial clinical reductions in obsessions and compulsions measured with Y-B scale leading to reduction or elimination of medication.
Little is understood about exactly how Vagal Nerve Stimulation modulates mood and seizure control. Proposed mechanism include alteration of Norepinephrine release by the afferent vagal projections of solitary tract to the locus coeruleus, elevated levels of inhibitary GABA and inhibition of cortical activity.
Nadishodhan pranayam
This is a simple yoga breathing exercise that can be done by anybody, anywhere ,any place and is dynamic. It is wrongly called Anulom-Vilom pranayam. Lom means hair. When air flows in the same direction of nasal hair , it is called Anulom , that is inspiration. The opposite is Vilom , that is expiration.
Yogis believe that Nadishodhan will clean and rejuvenate your vital channels of energy. When the breath continues to flow in one nostril for more than 2.5 hours, it will have an adverse effect on our health Prolonged breathing through the left nostril only over a period of years will produce asthma while prolonged breathing through right nostril only causes diabetes.
They can be taken care of by nadishodhan pranayam. There are 3 main nadis. Prana or the life force circulates inside Pingla (right nostril or suryanadi) Apana(passive force) is supposed to circulate inside Ida(left nostril or chandra nadi). The third nadi is called sushumna through which kundalini is supposed to flow. The ida and pingla nadis refer to the two hemispheres of the brain. These nadis are said to have an extra sensory function playing a part in empathic and instinctive responses.pingla and ida are believed to be stimulated through nadishodhan pranayam which would stimulate the left and right brain alternately. when both the nostrils are freely breathing, it is supposed to stimulate sushumna nadi bringing calmness of body and mind.
Steps of Nadishodhan
Benefits of Nadishodhan Pranayam
The exercise produces optimum functions in both sides of the brain that is optimum creativity and optimum logical verbal activity. This also creates a more balanced person. Since both halves of the brain are functioning optimally.
It leads to clarity of thinking. The yogis consider this exercise as the best to calm the mind and the nervous system as a part of stress management.
Kundalini
In yogic terms ,it is a corporeal energy, an unconscious, instinctive or libidinal force which lies coiled at the base of the spine.It is difficult to define it in modern medical terms. Carl Jung’s seminar on kundalini yoga presented to the psychological club in Zurich in1932 is regarded as a milestone in the psychological understanding of eastern thinking. It was a model for him for the development of higher consciousness. In my opinion it is a state of deep and pleasurable relaxation with perhaps a thoughtless mind As per this Indian wisdom it is advisable to do nadishodhan pranayam at least twice a day for at least 10 minuets to prevent stress related psychosomatic illnesses.