StarTalk Podcast: Biohacking with Leah Lagos, PhD

Can we hack our bodies and our minds? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice talk about how to optimize human performance with performance and sport psychologist Leah Lagos, PhD.
What do Olympic athletes, Wall Street brokers, and cosmonauts have in common? Dr. Lagos breaks down how the brain and heart are connected in our stress response and how this factors into performance. Ever choked during a big game or an important meeting? We explore how choking is related to heart rate variability biofeedback and how the heart connects to the rest of our nervous system. Is there such a thing as psyching yourself out? Discover why keeping your cool has more to do with physiology than psychology.
What’s resonance frequency? We discuss the physics concept of frequency and its role within our own bodies. How does resonance frequency and heart rate variability vary across people? Do some people feel more than others? If physiology dictates our performance, how do we control it? Find out how heart rate variability is used to treat concussions and other traumas-- and how it can affect our biases.
Does controlling your stress response during performance take away the high? Would we be willing to lose that? How is resonance frequency and controlling our breathing and our heart rate different than meditation? We also explore how the trauma and stress of the pandemic has impacted our physiology and what we can all do about it. All that and more on another episode of StarTalk!
Thanks to our Patrons Eugenio Barrera, David J Rechtman, Umran Koca, Roy Nyaboga, Chris Merritt, GetPLayeD, Jacob Montgomery for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
Support us on Patreon: / startalkradio
About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
"Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver: inuit.com/.
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

[@robcarson2728]

I liked when Chuck went from talking in comedic terms about people being A-holes, to asking a super-relevant clinical baseline question in the span of only a few seconds!

[@cristhyneleon5336]

I loved this episode! I just finished my PhD, which related also to heart rate variability, but applied to early diagnosis of infection and maturation in babies. It's amazing how much information is packed in HRV, and how many different and useful applications can be derived from it. And this application Dr. Lagos is working on is certainly fascinating.

[@pratikraut6354]

She is so animated, which shows she really lover her job and is passionate about it. Like Dr.Tyson

[@lumpygasinavacuum8449]

Neil is a lying hack working for actual NAZIs. Earth is flat and it does not move. If the sky is the claimed to be vacuum our air would fill it. Show me an experiment where you can have air pressure without a container. Tell me that one thing and I will stop calling Neil a sellout hack for satan and the NAZIs. Air pressure without containment! One example please!

[@lumpygasinavacuum8449]

Our air would fill the available volume prove me wrong or love lies and NAZIs

[@njones420]

@@lumpygasinavacuum8449 - climb a mountain, air pressure goes down, no container. Now you can stop all your other silly little thoughts too, they're also wrong.

[@lumpygasinavacuum8449]

@@njones420 I am not wrong or lying unlike NDT

[@njones420]

@@lumpygasinavacuum8449 I gave you a perfect example... how about your side of the bargain.

[@khaledeid260]

Gary is growing more and more into Startalk, love it

[@willyfrederick7419]

Have you heard of crypto?

[@willyfrederick7419]

Investing in crypto now should be in every wise individual's list, in few months to come you did be ecstatic with the decision you made today...

[@willyfrederick7419]

W•H•A•T•S•A•P•P +>1=9=2=9=8=4=1=9=2=6=6. I•n•v•e•s•tinC•r•y•p•t•o B•T•CA•N•D •E•T•H..... ..

[@mode2-rc175]

This episode will definitely goes into my favorite playlist.

[@funwithscience48]

I just have to say that Dr. Lagos' laughter is so pleasant to my ears!

[@gabrielfestini]

I am so glad that Neil and Chuck (and the team!) has listened to us and make special pauses to allow Gary for some questions :D Great job everyone!

[@ProudBlankFlank]

After some work with meditation and singing, then hearing this. It’s pretty incredible how the breathe plays so heavily into our physical control/performance but also our mental state/condition.

[@MaverickBlue42]

Oooooohmmmmm.... Ω You just have to eliminate the _resistance_ to change.....

[@gbubemia]

Indians and hinduism have known this for millennia!!!!

[@georgesos]

there s nothing "incredible" abt normal human functions. What is incredible (or rather non credible) is the (already discredited) "science" she represents.

[@willyfrederick7419]

Investing in crypto now should be in every wise individual's list, in few months to come you did be ecstatic with the decision you made today...

[@GMAH111]

@@georgesos please elaborate on where you've seen it discredited!

[@codyadkins3061]

Love all the videos. Thank you Neil for keeping us entertained and educated.

[@mysticxiiii]

WHY DIDNT YOU MAKE THIS SOONER?!?! MAKE ALL YOUR VIDEOS NOOOOOOWWWWWWW! Love you guys! Youre all fantastic and i absolutely look forward to every episode! Keep up the amazing work!

[@singingwater69]

Loved this talk and Leah particularly. Great discussion; I learned so much!

[@shkambjaka7570]

Ahh ready for a big brainer night, thanks Neil!

[@danieljohnson2662]

Thank you so much for this. I had a traumatic auto accident with brain injury many years ago and never fully recovered. I will be looking for Dr. Lagos book and Apps as aids to keep workings on improvements.

[@coryholliday926]

Finally! This is meditation, but not mindfulness it's the kind that eastern martial arts practice, it's useful in all situations and it's going get 10 times more useful now that it's being taken to the lab

[@kylesaunders9529]

480p? What is this 2008? Content-wise, exceptional as ever. best sci-show out there. Remarkable science and wonderful comedic relief.

[@JohnyG29]

Having HD video is a waste of time in these videos which are more like a podcast, just use your ears there's nothing to really watch.

[@haroldellis9721]

6 seconds, "no views" but 10 thumbs up and four comments before mine -- a personal best.

[@frogz]

WOOOHOOO, thank you for not calling this "sports edition" i used to avoid those episodes because it was CALLED sports edition despite the fact its 90% science and space... 5% sports, the sports usually felt tacked on and forced! the other 5%? i dont know, lets just give it to professor of comedy, chuck nice, he deserves it! ...edit: didnt hear the word sports at the start...oops..

[@murasaki848]

16:15 Interesting. In the karate dojo I trained in 35 years ago, my sensei specifically emphasized controlling exhale as well. He said "inhale can just happen by itself, but breath control means controlling exhale". In large part this was to engage the breath in the power of movement and striking, but it is interesting to note the similarity in technique.

[@MrTimothy1116]

While I can't affirm many of the ideas put forth during this podcast, I would like to say Neil's guests are both intriguing, and brilliant! I do love science, and actual data that support theories put forth in this video, and especially those that disprove it.

[@urieowrjdf]

Such a great episode! Thank you!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Well, that was brilliant... Wow. Thanks to everyone on the show for your perspectives.

[@ikocheratcr]

Wonderful episode, very very helpful. Thanks.

[@rociosanchz]

I been got involved with spiritually and during my meditation, I first felt very relaxed which it was great, then felt something uncommon/ different happening in my brain/head (pressure on forehead top of head) However I did noticed my dreams were a lot more vivid and little off during the day. This was not helping with my Anxiety/ Depression. Very important to know this is another different type of “meditation” for different outcomes. This is very interesting Thank you!

[@MrChuchu06]

Perfect timing

[@taiwanisacountry]

To be honest at the end of the video, when I heard that it would transfer to the baseline, I was thinking about voice changing exercises. Where you are training your voice to be at your natural level. Not only does the increase how people mentally perceive you, it also protects you from damages to your voice. But beside from that comparison, I just want to say thank you guys. Very interesting, I am looking forward to see more studies on this subject.

[@slumz12]

This is my 3rd time watching this. I need to learn these techniques!

[@somethingfromnothing3218]

It’s control using breathing and improving lung function . I agree with breathing controlling muscles and force . I use this in my workouts for maximum performance when lifting heavy . Love some startalk !!!

[@ProphetNikoz]

Thank you for a new video!

[@raysnowden60]

Wow! Great program!

[@cjmann7015]

Is it possible to have long term short term memory loss from having several concussions before 18yo? 2 were within 6 months of each other. I'm in my 30s now and still have problems holding onto memories and keeping past events in a linear time frame.

[@willyfrederick7419]

W•H•A•T•S•A•P•P +>1=9=2=9=8=4=1=9=2=6=6. I•n•v•e•s•tinC•r•y•p•t•o B•T•CA•N•D •E•T•H..... ..

[@banana_monkie_6403]

Dr.nice needs more credit!!!

[@zakm6278]

You could tell every once and a while neil was like move it on , but I appreciate the information and thought this was great

[@Haider-mk7nm]

This was great episode

[@Impaler722]

This is incredible.

[@marvinkenneth5786]

I love this channel it's satisfies my brain munchies. 🧠🥑

[@astilen5647]

OM NOM NOM NOM Knowledge

[@Silhouex]

I've been practicing flow state for a few years now. I find that when I've practice enough to make a habit out of it I can tap into it at will. It's important to be practiced enough to maintain your awareness or you might run into the car in front of you or walk into a pole.

[@TheFaarf]

Sounds pretty cool. Have you been doing similar stuff that Leah is explaining?

[@Silhouex]

@@TheFaarf I usually enter flow state before sparring sessions. The opponent kinda slows down but more importantly I react and move without worry or opinion. I find it amplifies my spacial awareness as well as my awareness of mine and my opponents bodies. I highly recommend it. There are even some binaural tracks available that do a great job of pulling you into that zen state.

[@LiminalMan777]

What a great episode, no phd needed to put some of this to use.

[@tonyk8315]

Great content guys👍🙏

[@ShauriePvs]

That's interesting that we have similar breathing exercises in yoga.. That's really fun exercise doing that

[@rewindcat7927]

Fascinating!!

[@soullesshonky1707]

Martial artists have known this forever. I always do breathing before working out or playing live music. Definitely levels you out and allows you to hit harder or softer,on cue,music or martial arts.

[@vincentmiller420]

A great video!

[@aidanwalker5019]

Thank you chuck for asking about meditation

[@RunNscar3d]

Back to back first champ

[@elck3]

To Startalk: I had a difficult time understanding whether meditation or the heart-rate-variability control method was more effective for trauma, such as for post-traumatic-stress-disorder. Could you or someone clarify? Thanks

[@YoungLakesMischa]

Where do I find the StarTalk book club. :) I've purchased this one also. :)

[@MiningMyBusiness]

Hear alot about concussion protocol in sports . Is there a baseline or standard protocol across sports or does each sport or league have its own standards

[@lalah9481]

This would be amazing for soldiers and TBIs

[@Kingofgrowers]

Chuck ... I have deeply considered your plight . So , I will glady pay Star talk a full US mint nickle for your elaboration and .02 cents Thanks Startalk !

[@fuijika]

Somehow it seems like some movie directors figured this technic instinctively. We often have scenes where the actor does a few slow breathing to get back in focus. The 1st example that comes to my mind is Tom Hanks on Omaha beach in Saving private Ryan, when all the soldiers around him gets killed and goes in that disconnected state, we hear him breathing deeply then he suddenly goes back in focus.

[@MrRFPinhas]

It's like when people tell you to take a deep breath, I guess this is just like using it optimally?

[@totoslifetotochicken3871]

That was my first thought "some people never been on a plane..." big world problem....lol! Love you guys! Great information!

[@evolvedcopper2205]

In Gary's defence (defense?) a couple years back after a prominent player got concussed in a match, football associations now enforce stopping play and coaches are hyper for substitutions when head injuries happen. I never knew Gary was a part of Neil's team here. I used to see him on Fan Zone a couple times many seasons back and he was hilarious at times

[@AnalogX64]

This was a great episode, I'll for sure pick up the book. I've been practicing the breathing on my Oculus Quest 2 VR with an app called TRIPP

[@gavinbamber6082]

Where did Chuck go at the end?

[@sirenalv]

Best bedtime story 😊🥰

[@oskarn5384]

Same here! 🙏🌌

[@robertstahl8835]

Love Gary

[@jordandavis1169]

why isn't the title of her book in the description? Note to channel manager: link guest content thanks

[@72estebanh]

Sounds to me like what is being described in this video is pranayama. It is in fact a kind of yogic practice where you focus on your breathing. There are many different techniques within pranayama through which you can focus on your breathing. The technique described in this video seems to be just one of the many.

[@tonib5899]

Breathing techniques have really helped me with anxiety and making better decisions.

[@gbubemia]

Indians and hinduism have known this for millennia!!!!

[@tonib5899]

@@gbubemia Some of these precious texts are based in tried and tested techniques.

[@szucsadam0527]

hi! can I ask you how? what kind of techniques? I'd love to learn it too.

[@tonib5899]

@@szucsadam0527 I breathe in, inhaling fully through mouth and nose for 6 seconds,then slowly breathe out over 6 seconds. I do this 3 times a day for only 5 minutes, or if I am stressed or facing a big decision. I do know its helped me. I hope it helps you.

[@tonib5899]

P.s think of nothing but breathing slowly and calmly.

[@mikethompson7132]

So many times i thought she was gonna jump outta that chair !!! she must be amazing to watch on Christmas morning !!

[@mikethompson7132]

@@gregorymannarino2780 i certainly will do so thanks G

[@mikethompson7132]

@@gregorymannarino2780 i certainly will do so thanks G

[@landar2372]

So, I do believe in the science, but I am curious on if there is a placebo affect here? Thoughts?

[@LongDivision27]

Breathing exercises and self regulation has proven effective in Personality Disorders.

[@marknugent9851]

Does neurodiversity have an effect on the therapy's effectiveness? I ask because I have ASD and this is fascinating.

[@ManaBDew]

Why I enjoy Bob Marley he believed he could cure profoundly by his music 🎶 So nice.

[@MohitSharma-hy9st]

there are 2 ted videos on this topic by Alan Watkins named 'Being brilliant every single day', highly recommend

[@javierfifteen6125]

MARKIPLIER AS STAR TALK EPISODE GUEST!!!!!

[@chendhoreveerappan4928]

Can someone tell me how this amazing revelation is different from Yoga? Or Pranayana?

[@maryogabuzios1338]

it is not... sound like exacly the same as pranayama

[@justinroark6409]

Where is Gary at? What are the collections behind him, and are they his?

[@daveconvoy5793]

Fascinating stuff. Need to work on my breathing with hitherto unrealised benefits

[@peggysmiley1053]

I don’t think it was mentioned, but wouldn’t this work as well with pain management?

[@alanhehe4508]

I wish I had the funds to access such technology but I have been doing the Wim Hof breathing technique and it's pretty powerful stuff. It makes you very relaxed afterwards. I also sometimes do a box breath. Much of this is new info to me and fascinating!!

[@rohanrawat5740]

anyone else see the original title of the video? what was that

[@laredotech]

This helps a lot with PTSD.

[@DaBlondDude]

This sounds fascinating, my mind has been hyperactive on multiple levels for a long time and not having an off switch causes all kinds of problems.

[@DaBlondDude]

@Leo Santos who said anything about needing stimulus?

[@DaBlondDude]

@Leo Santos all I commented is that my mind has been hyperactive on multiple levels without an off switch for a long time ... investing in bitcoin fixes that for you?

[@DaBlondDude]

@Leo Santos ah, so you're trolling someone else's channel trying to use it to sell your shtick, not interested in encouraging that 🙄

[@guscanterbury9225]

Could you do a video about parallel universes, reality shifters, and why transporting your conscious to another dimension isn't possible? Love your videos btw!

[@gregorymannarino2780]

Thanks for your efforts and review Make a note to Thomas Harry for financial advice on crypto currency trading and guidance on how to make profitable ideas...

[@gregorymannarino2780]

StarTalk 2 minutes ago W> < 4 >

[@cyborgzulu2011]

Got lucky enough to work with TMS with feedback with veterans having ptsd. I myself can say we are onto something with the biofeedback

[@gregorymannarino2780]

Thanks for your efforts and review Make a note to Thomas Harry for financial advice on crypto currency trading and guidance on how to make profitable ideas...

[@gregorymannarino2780]

StarTalk 2 minutes ago W> < 4 >

[@TheScottGillies]

43:00 VERY TRUE!

[@maryogabuzios1338]

I am a yoga teacher, if find very interesting this podcast because sounds like PRANAYAMAS, breathing techniques of yoga. There are many different breathing techniques in yoga to get different results (in your body/mind/heart). The goal in yoga practice in general is not to just calm and no worry about anything... it is to center yourself. Once you are centered you can see/feel/think clearly and choose better reactions and control your emotions.

[@williamyoung9401]

So how do you do this again? o_O Demonstration? Great video that aside!

[@Goshin89]

All I hear is kimetsu no yaiba breathing techniques are legit ;-)

[@ryanputnam1543]

A dog of culture I see

[@IMustTurd]

Hamon

[@onlinecroc4873]

A man of culture

[@usmanmehmood55]

Even Muzan approves of this.

[@babypyscho9606]

Yep I knew it I've achieved a state when I so young I kept running and running and got some breathing technique I wasn't even sure what was it but I was not getting tired nor my stamina was going down now I've forgotten and can't even run more than 10 minutes

[@tap4610]

Eastern cultures always understood the importance of meditation and breathing. From the Chinese to Indians, you can find thousands of ancient books about these topics. The West is still too proud to admit and validate these studies!

[@steamengineer100]

Maybe consider this a validation....

[@tap4610]

@@steamengineer100 validation means giving respect to the source material, acknowledging scientists and "gurus" who have preached or written similar research. She claims to have "invented" these techniques and probably has research papers and patents

[@QueenCityQueen]

@@tap4610 Agreed. This is my problem with this video. It feels like a Christie Columbus moment. She hasn’t “discovered” or “invented” anything. This information has been available for thousands of years and athletes in eastern countries have been using the techniques she described

[@melaking3090]

An empathic person could gain trust enough to garner communication after co n cussion however the co is coordinated eg an outside influence is present, and n (energy) needs identification and reestablishing as a core element of the patient (could be cartoons , music, family bond etc)

[@raes306]

Saw medical records where a persons vagus nerve was accidentally damaged in surgery. She had severe malabsorption. Hemoglobin around 7. Continues to need TPN. Interesting it is mentioned here.

[@SuneRicardo]

Does your book come in danish ?? Because my wife would never read it in english… she’s to lazy (LOL)) But really intriguing to hear this podcast ❤️

[@awkwardauntie1978]

What happens if you hum or vibrate the soft tissue in the nose along with this?

[@sebastianlopez9433]

At the middle of this episode I just went to Amazon and bought her book

[@claykingmuzik]

Wow. What a breakthrough this is..

[@basmus]

My doctor said I should try this breathing technique but unfortunately he didn't tell me what it actually does. Now that I know I'm much more interested in trying it out

[@mcmilliftw1166]

I have been wondering what would be the behavior of orbits around the sun if the sun itself was not in motion. Let's say the sun accretion disc was outside a galaxy and had no nearby masses tugging on it to influence it for example smack dab in the middle of boots void. Would the lack of trajectory cause the star to be born alone? And if not would it allow plants to maintain an orbit or would all matter just fall into the star.

[@LongDivision27]

Do you think this could help people with BPD Borderline Personality Disorders?

[@thegamingbroshd5469]

hey Neil would a thermonuclear fusion reactor based on a particle accelerator work.

[@astilen5647]

yes

[@astilen5647]

is energy released? Yes. Can we capture it? Yes. Can we develop an efficient and safe way to capture it? Yes. Can we stop military funding and do science instead? Yes.

[@Synathidy]

@@astilen5647 A tiny fraction of the military budget diverted to science could probably launch a new scientific renaissance.

[@robertmaxwell4056]

In the 70s as a amateur athlete I used meditation and hypnosis to repress my anxiety during competition. I could train skijumping in my living room and sleeping in bed.

[@skyteus]

Yes

[@reynaldogonzalesgodofthemu8492]

Motivation For eternity...

[@Beef410]

This is a fancy way of describing what they tell you to do if you have anxiety. Deep breath+slow exhale

[@AlexandruCurca]

Mister Tyson, what do you think about these UFO's? Thank you! România here 🇹🇩

[@charliesimar7541]

This sure sounds like what we do in martial arts.

[@dustyserenity]

this is interesting. maybe this is why people goes to yoga for meditation stuff because the base of yoga is breathing exercise. what works might be the breathing not all the stretching.

[@thatcarguygamer9491]

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON!!!!!

[@stevepomery8372]

I wonder if this technique would help PTSD suffers?

[@peggie7126]

Neil. You need to have Wim Hof on!!!!!!