A recent study from Northwestern University revealed a surprising relationship between breathing and memory, noting that breathing rhythms during sleep are closely linked to brain waves that play an essential role in consolidating memories. According to researchers, the way we breathe during sleep may significantly affect how our brain processes and stores important information.

The research team explained that breathing works to synchronize three types of brain waves in the hippocampus, namely slow waves, spindles, and ripples, which are considered essential for consolidating memories during sleep.

Although scientists previously knew that these oscillations were linked to memory, they were not able to understand exactly how these waves arise or are synchronized.

According to the study, these brain waves occur at specific times in the breathing cycle, indicating that breathing is not only essential for survival, but also to ensure that the brain functions properly, especially during sleep.

This discovery is important because it helps understand how breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea, affect the ability to remember information.

In this context, researchers pointed out that breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea, which disrupts breathing during the night, have already been linked to poor memory consolidation, in addition to strokes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

If these findings are correct, improving breathing patterns through treatments may have a positive impact on brain health.

The study also reinforces the idea that good sleep is essential for maintaining memory and general health.

This study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, opening the way for more research to understand the effect of breathing on the brain, which may contribute to the development of treatments for sleep disorders and improve the quality of life for millions of people.