Breathing is something we do every moment of our lives—but few realize how deeply it shapes our brain, emotions, and health.

In this Better Brain Podcast episode, we sit down with Dr. Jack Feldman, Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology at UCLA, whose groundbreaking research revealed how specific neurons in the brainstem generate and regulate breathing. His work has transformed our understanding of breathing’s role in consciousness, emotional regulation, and even survival.

We cover:

The biological fingerprint of breathing and what “healthy” breathing looks like

How breathing interacts with consciousness and brain activity

Surprising insights from sighs, yawns, and physiologic breathing patterns

The science behind nasal vs. mouth breathing

Techniques like Wim Hof breathing and how they affect stress, pain, and sleep

Real-time demonstrations of how breath changes heart rate and emotional state

The overlap between breathwork and psychedelics

From obstructive sleep apnea to free divers pushing human limits, we explore breathing in every dimension—and even try breathing techniques live to see their effect on our own physiology.

🧠 Hosted by Dr. Daniel Rafie & Dr. Kevin Bickart | The Better Brain Podcast
🎧 Full episode also available on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

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#Breathing #BrainHealth #JackFeldman #BetterBrainPodcast #UCLA #Neuroscience #StressRelief #EmotionalRegulation #WimHof #NasalBreathing #MindBodyConnection #MentalHealth #PeakPerformance #Breathwork

To fully enjoy this episode, check out the video version by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetterbrainpodcast

For exclusive access to unreleased UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast content, be sure to subscribe at BetterBrainPodcast.com

Connect with us on social media:
Instagram: Host - @adel.neuro Podcast - @BetterBrainPod
Twitter: @ahdelneuro

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Better Brain Podcast!

What happens when winning a UFC championship doesn’t bring the fulfillment you thought it would?

Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate joins the Better Brain Podcast to unpack the mindset of victory, failure, and what it truly means to enjoy the process rather than just the outcome.

We explore Miesha’s journey from rising star to world champion, and the unexpected crash that came after achieving her dream. She opens up about balancing motherhood with elite competition, her evolving relationship with opponents, and how psychedelics have shaped her perspective on healing and performance.

Miesha also shares the strategies she uses to keep her body and brain performing at their peak: from training methods that minimize brain injury risk, to nutrition, supplements, and mental resilience. We dig into her experiences with knockouts, the realities of brain trauma in combat sports, and what might ultimately drive her to step away from fighting.

🧠 Hosted by Dr. Daniel Rafie & Dr. Kevin Bickart | The Better Brain Podcast
🎧 Full episode also available on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.

💡 Visit Our Sponsor: ContactMedicalServices.com

👉 If this episode gave you a new perspective on mindset, performance, or recovery, hit like, subscribe for more expert insights, and share your thoughts in the comments!
🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

Hashtags:
#MieshaTate #UFC #Mindset #BrainHealth #BetterBrainPodcast #MMA #PeakPerformance #SportsNeurology #MindsetMatters #AthleteMindset #BrainInjury #Nutrition #Supplements #Psychedelics #PerformanceMindset #Neuroscience #RecoveryJourney #MentalResilience #BetterBrain #concussion #cte

To fully enjoy this episode, check out the video version by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetterbrainpodcast

For exclusive access to unreleased UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast content, be sure to subscribe at BetterBrainPodcast.com

Connect with us on social media:
Instagram: Host - @adel.neuro Podcast - @BetterBrainPod
Twitter: @ahdelneuro

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Better Brain Podcast!

Where does pain really come from—and why does it sometimes never go away?

UCLA Professor of Psychiatry, pain specialist, and former VA psychiatrist Dr. Brandon Yarns joins the Better Brain Podcast to decode the mystery of pain. From the moment it begins to the ways it can persist for years, we explore the powerful and surprising role the brain plays in both acute and chronic pain.

Dr. Yarns shares how chronic pain isn’t just about tissue damage—but about brain circuits, memory, trauma, and emotional processing. We discuss how chronic pain literally reshapes the brain, and why some treatments—including opioids—can backfire. He also breaks down the complex connection between chronic pain and mental health, including depression and PTSD.

But there’s hope. Dr. Yarns shares his groundbreaking research into a specific psychotherapy that has been shown to completely reverse certain forms of chronic pain—without drugs or surgery. We also explore actionable strategies to boost your pain threshold and build resilience against chronic pain.

To fully enjoy this episode, check out the video version by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetterbrainpodcast

For exclusive access to unreleased UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast content, be sure to subscribe at BetterBrainPodcast.com

Connect with us on social media:
Instagram: Host - @adel.neuro Podcast - @BetterBrainPod
Twitter: @ahdelneuro

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Better Brain Podcast!