In a study conducted by scientists at Northwestern University, researchers reported that Individuals “were more likely to remember an object if they encountered it on the inhaled breath than the exhaled one.” Although the article noted that “The effect disappeared if breathing was through the mouth,” the lead researcher, Christina Zelano, an assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern, indicated that there was a “dramatic difference in brain activity in the amygdala and hippocampus during inhalation compared with exhalation.” Professor Zelano added that “When you breathe in, we discovered you are stimulating neurons in the olfactory cortex, amygdala and hippocampus, all across the limbic system.”
Since the amygdala plays such a big role in the memory of sensory stimuli, it makes sense that an emotionally upsetting event would result in strong memories of that event if accompanied by more intense breathing. Interestingly, the authors of an article in Runner’s World noted that, in regard to breathing, “Your diaphragm and other breathing muscles contract during inhalation, which brings stability to your core. These same muscles relax during exhalation, decreasing stability.”
It appears that ‘breathing in’ creates a level of stability that assists a person to respond to events that may require physical control and clear thinking.
Some emotionally intense situations bring automatic physical responses that create bigger than normal inhalations. The word “gasp” comes to mind when the intensity of an external event catches us off guard. Gasp can be defined as “a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.” Or fear! When encountering a fear-inspiring event, we may respond with a gasp, an inhalation of breath that produces stability to respond.
If any of us have been surprised by a bear, we know how a gasp of breath dominates our initial response. I call that gasp ‘the breath of fear.’
Although relatively rare, surprise encounters with bears do occur. Some 350-500 black bears roam throughout Yosemite National Park, and, although bears tend to “mind their own business”, as John Muir stated, adding the human element increases the risk an unpredictable bear/human interchange.
A few experts, such as those writing on Bear.org, suggest that bears are not always dangerous. The website lists many “myths” of what people might think about bears. For example, one myth states that “a mother bear with cubs is always dangerous.” However, let’s think about this: If no humans are around, it’s unlikely a mother bear poses any threat to anyone. So, no, a mother bear with cubs is not, technically, “always” dangerous. This does not nullify the fact that a mother bear with cubs always possesses the potential to be dangerous to humans. None of us would purposely seek out a dangerous situation with a sow and her cubs. Still, challenging bear/human incidents occur and can typically be due to human ignorance, or to an individual seeking some self-serving outcome that goes awry.
Here’s an example of how quickly a situation can turn negative as a result of untoward human behavior. Many years ago, family and friends gathered in Yosemite for a wedding. On the day of the wedding, everyone congregated at one cabin in Wawona. As evening neared after the wedding and reception, most were in a relaxed mood enjoying the mountain air out on the large deck. Someone shouted “bear” and, indeed, a large cinnamon-colored bear rumbled along the backside of the cabin and the north side of the deck. He turned the corner continued to walk along the length of the deck about 15 feet away. Occasionally, the bear would look over at the "humans” gathered on the deck, but it seemed mostly intent on minding its own business and reaching its destination.
A group of us followed its steps along the length of the deck to the south railing. As we leaned on the railing to get a clearer view of this enormous and vibrant creature, a wedding attendee, began verbally taunting the bear. The ridicule included statements such as, “Where you going little bear? Are you afraid of us? What ya gonna do about it browny? You can’t get us up here!”
Does a bear comprehend annoying taunts coming from a puny human? Evidently. After moving about 30 feet beyond the deck and seemingly far past this group of revelers, suddenly, with no warning, the bear turned its entire body and aggressively galloped toward all of us in what seemed like milliseconds. After three lightning-fast strides, it stopped.
That bluff charge sent each of us instantly jumping back from the railing with a gasp of fear that surely ignited our limbic system. "Browny" knew exactly what to do to humble its belittlers and to instill fear. In fact, to add to the memory-inducing inhalation of that moment, "Browny" became motionless and stared us down, as if warning that the next time there would be no bluff.
Let’s call that a teaching moment; not so much for the bear, but rather for the humans involved. And rightly so. As for me, I learned the lesson well. I have not forgotten the face of that bear, nor its message: “Don’t mess with bears!”
Neither will I forget bears' rightful place in the Park, to be left alone so they can mind their own business as they are inclined to do. Rather than being National Park pets, bears live in the wild as exquisite forest dwellers. They possess awesome speed and power that far out-speeds and out-powers any human. They possess the potential to be dangerous at any time, especially when encountering challenging human behavior.
I am certain that our experience confirms the research conducted at Northwestern University. We individuals who witnessed that "bear incident" can attest that a person will certainly remember an object if they encountered it on the inhaled breath rather than the exhaled one.
That bear may now be dead and gone, but it remains very much alive in my memory. I won’t forget the look it gave us for as long as I live! Nor will I forget the breath of fear I experienced which helped secure the memory of that bear’s response to challenging human behavior.
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