UNIIATERAL FORCED NOSTRIL BREATHING: Basic Science, Clinical Trials, and Selected Advanced Techniques

This arricle reviews the published basic science and clinical studies on unilateral forced nostril breatbing (UFNB), a subset of yogic breathing (ptanayam) techniques that were discovered/devised more than 5000 years ago. The relationship of UFNB to the ultradian physiological phenomenon called the nasal cycle, a marker of mind-body states is also reviewed. Basic science studies show how UFNB can affect the autonomic nervous system, central nervous system (including cognition), and general metabolic activities. Clinical trials on the application to angina pectoris and obsessive compulsive disorder are described, In addition, three selected advanced UFNB techniques are described; one for stimulating the immune system; one for developing a comprehensive, comparative, and intuitive mind; and a third for developing an enlightened-transcendent mind. These three techniques are part of the ancient science of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan

Dietary Modulation of Drosophila Sleep-Wake Behaviour

Background A complex relationship exists between diet and sleep but despite its impact on human health, this relationship remains uncharacterized and poorly understood. Drosophila melanogaster is an important model for the study of metabolism and behaviour, however the effect of diet upon Drosophila sleep remains largely unaddressed. Methodology/Principal Findings Using automated behavioural monitoring, a capillary feeding assay and pharmacological treatments, we examined the effect of dietary yeast and sucrose upon Drosophila sleep-wake behaviour for three consecutive days. We found that dietary yeast deconsolidated the sleep-wake behaviour of flies by promoting arousal from sleep in males and shortening periods of locomotor activity in females. We also demonstrate that arousal from nocturnal sleep exhibits a significant ultradian rhythmicity with a periodicity of 85 minutes. Increasing the dietary sucrose concentration from 5% to 35% had no effect on total sucrose ingestion per day nor any affect on arousal, however it did lengthen the time that males and females remained active. Higher dietary sucrose led to reduced total sleep by male but not female flies. Locomotor activity was reduced by feeding flies Metformin, a drug that inhibits oxidative phosphorylation, however Metformin did not affect any aspects of sleep. Conclusions We conclude that arousal from sleep is under ultradian control and regulated in a sex-dependent manner by dietary yeast and that dietary sucrose regulates the length of time that flies sustain periods of wakefulness. These findings highlight Drosophila as an important model with which to understand how diet impacts upon sleep and wakefulness in mammals and humans