Pushing The Limits Of Extreme Breath-Holding

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  • čas přidán 29. 09. 2023
  • This is how people can hold their breath for tens of minutes. Check out our sponsor: betterhelp.com/veritasium to get matched with a professional therapist who will listen and help.
    ▀▀▀
    A huge thanks to Brandon Birchak for all his help with this video. To learn how to hold your breath for 5 minutes, or see one of Brandon’s performances, visit eliteperformancedesign.com and Sixfootcreations.com
    A special thanks to Juan Valdivia for his expert advice on the science of extreme breath holding.
    ▀▀▀
    References:
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). How your body controls breathing. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. - ve42.co/BodyBreathing
    Anatomy, autonomic nervous system - statpearls - NCBI bookshelf. (n.d.-a). - ve42.co/ANS
    Biochemistry, oxidative phosphorylation - statpearls - NCBI bookshelf. (n.d.-c). - ve42.co/ncbiATP
    Acidosis. Acidosis - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). - ve42.co/Acidosis
    Evaluation of respiratory alkalosis. Evaluation of respiratory alkalosis - Differential diagnosis of symptoms | BMJ Best Practice US. (n.d.). - ve42.co/Alkalosis
    Wilmshurst, P. (1998, October 10). Diving and Oxygen. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). - ve42.co/DivingO
    López-Barneo, J., Ortega-Sáenz, P., Pardal, R., Pascual, A., & Piruat, J. I. (2008). Carotid body oxygen sensing. European Respiratory Journal, 32(5), 1386-1398. - ve42.co/Barneo2008
    Jeff, & Huffy. (2022, November 17). The Bolt score test: Measure your breathing volume capacity. Marathon Handbook. - ve42.co/BOLT
    Lindholm, P., & Lundgren, C. E. (2009). The physiology and pathophysiology of human breath-hold diving. Journal of Applied Physiology, 106(1), 284-292. - ve42.co/Lindholm2009
    Physiology, lung capacity - statpearls - NCBI bookshelf. (n.d.-c). - ve42.co/LungCapacity
    Panneton, W. M., & Gan, Q. (2020). The mammalian diving response: inroads to its neural control. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 524. - ve42.co/Panneton2020
    Baković, D., Eterović, D., Saratlija‐Novaković, X., Palada, I., Valic, Z., Bilopavlović, N., & Dujić, X. (2005). Effect of human splenic contraction on variation in circulating blood cell counts. Clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology, 32(11), 944-951. ve42.co/Bakovic2005
    Gooden, B. (1971). The diving response in man, rat and echidna (Doctoral dissertation). - ve42.co/Gooden1971
    Longest duration breath hold - freediving static apnea (male). Guinness World Records. (n.d.). - ve42.co/DivingRecord
    What’s the longest a human can hold their breath underwater? BBC Science Focus Magazine. (n.d.). - ve42.co/Southwell2023
    ▀▀▀
    Special thanks to our Patreon supporters:
    Adam Foreman, Amadeo Bee, Anton Ragin, Balkrishna Heroor, Bernard McGee, Bill Linder, Burt Humburg, Dave Kircher, Diffbot, Evgeny Skvortsov, Gnare, Jesse Brandsoy, John H. Austin, Jr., john kiehl, Josh Hibschman, Juan Benet, KeyWestr, Lee Redden, Marinus Kuivenhoven, Mario Bottion, Max Paladino, Meekay, meg noah, Michael Krugman, Orlando Bassotto, Paul Peijzel, Richard Sundvall, Sam Lutfi, Stephen Wilcox, Tj Steyn, TTST, Ubiquity Ventures
    ▀▀▀
    Directed by Derek Muller
    Written by Felicity Nelson and Derek Muller
    Edited by Trenton Oliver
    Animated by Ivy Tello
    Filmed by Derek Muller
    Produced by Derek Muller and Han Evans
    Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images and Pond5
    Music from Epidemic Sound

Komentáře • 4K

  • @nahuelgonzalez2709
    @nahuelgonzalez2709 Před 7 měsíci +3368

    This is breath taking

  • @MugiOverall
    @MugiOverall Před 7 měsíci +12071

    Cannot believe that this man went through so much trouble just to remind me to manually breathe

    • @machieltipo
      @machieltipo Před 7 měsíci +57

      Lmfao

    • @davidzwitser
      @davidzwitser Před 7 měsíci +84

      I feel like that wasn’t even a message in this video. It is probably something you have unconsciously in your mind

    • @adi_cs03
      @adi_cs03 Před 7 měsíci +227

      ​@@davidzwitserever heard of a joke?

    • @Morkvonork
      @Morkvonork Před 7 měsíci +108

      Bippity Boppity, your breathing is now a conscious activity!

    • @Kagrenackle
      @Kagrenackle Před 7 měsíci +24

      @@davidzwitser woooooooosh

  • @opsyko3310
    @opsyko3310 Před 2 měsíci +396

    "Stretching can help expand what you've got"
    - Veritasium 2024
    Thanks that will be noted for future endeavours

  • @froniccruxis1049
    @froniccruxis1049 Před 6 měsíci +800

    The end of his breath was so intense. His neck and chest convulsing and he is losing track of time. Such a great edit with him explaining it as well.

    • @bholdr----0
      @bholdr----0 Před 4 měsíci +5

      I appreciate this vid a lot! So, for the haters, Re: 'He only held his breath for '@1:45 minutes'- try that while filming a vid underwater: no pressure, eh? (pun intended!).
      I tried it just now, and, though I'm a middle-age, outta-shape smoker, I found that I can easily hold twice as long (3:47- big deal :-\), BUT:
      I don't think I could've made the same level of improvement (NO way, I'd def fold first) that the poster did for this vid:. THAT is what I find impressive!

    • @SalesmanWave
      @SalesmanWave Před měsícem +1

      ​@@bholdr----0 Why did you reply to this comment and not the video?

    • @bholdr----0
      @bholdr----0 Před měsícem +3

      @@SalesmanWave
      I found the comment interesting. Should I not respond to comments, but, rather, only respond to the video?
      Edit- oh, I get it now- Is that such a big deal, such that you'd be a nit about it, and, what, try to score some interweb points? OK, ya got me! Zing! Score one for the poster police!
      🤔 (I looked for a 'rolling eyes' emoji, but didn't see one- you'll have to imagine that I ended my post with that.)

    • @samohle8091
      @samohle8091 Před měsícem +1

      @@bholdr----0King

    • @moonl1314
      @moonl1314 Před 17 dny +1

      @@bholdr----0 what a personality, wowzers

  • @gazzwars5355
    @gazzwars5355 Před 7 měsíci +4517

    "Breathing is so important, it happens without conscious thought"
    GREAT, THANKS A LOT DEREK

    • @M4TCH3SM4L0N3
      @M4TCH3SM4L0N3 Před 7 měsíci +161

      As someone with ADHD who forgets to breathe when doing anything requiring physical coordination, I contest this statement.

    • @UltraProchy
      @UltraProchy Před 7 měsíci +23

      SAME GODDAMNIT

    • @vicarrighi
      @vicarrighi Před 7 měsíci +145

      manual breathing activated

    • @dddd6606
      @dddd6606 Před 7 měsíci +66

      Also, you just lost The Game.

    • @CrosSeaX
      @CrosSeaX Před 7 měsíci +46

      Same about blinking your eyes. If you don't think about it, it just happens naturally, like totally.

  • @calinacho7704
    @calinacho7704 Před 7 měsíci +8622

    I enjoy the fact that the subtitles describe Brandon's laughter as maniacal.

    • @dvorakgigachad1444
      @dvorakgigachad1444 Před 7 měsíci +142

      thought i was the only one who noticed lol

    • @experimentalcyborg
      @experimentalcyborg Před 7 měsíci +135

      It's not wrong tbh

    • @UKLGEAS
      @UKLGEAS Před 7 měsíci

      Subtitles are automatic for the most part. CZcams can do them for you, or Adobe premiere pro can also do it. You just have to go through and check they're correct. Not had them transcribe laughter before, but in theory it could do it :/ @@KeksimusMaximus

    • @kulled
      @kulled Před 7 měsíci +106

      @@KeksimusMaximus what do you suppose comment means? he's saying he enjoys it. tweaking on this guy for no reason.

    • @sixfootcreations273
      @sixfootcreations273 Před 7 měsíci +265

      Brandon here - This cracked me up too, don’t know what to tell you 😂

  • @kwcdude
    @kwcdude Před 7 měsíci +790

    I love the explanation of how hyperventilating before holding breath is actually bad in very concise way as well as teaching us how to do it properly through other techniques.
    Thanks for the awesome video Veritasium!

    • @LiqqaRoni-cx3tx
      @LiqqaRoni-cx3tx Před 6 měsíci +24

      I used to do that while swimming. Didn't notice a difference. However I do remember a news story of a girl who unexpectedly blacked out during swim class while they were doing breathing exercises. Going back realizing I could've died because the adults weren't strong enough to pull me out, how terrifying. God's grace is real!

    • @mmark300
      @mmark300 Před 6 měsíci +8

      I like to see how far I can swim underwater and I always swim further after hyperventilating, so this really confuses me

    • @job8
      @job8 Před 6 měsíci +4

      It's so concise that it's not so clear. How would the amount of oxygen in your blood not being increasable because it's limited by the concentration of oxygen in the air while at the same time the amount of CO2 its controllable because it's expellable?

    • @DavidSartor0
      @DavidSartor0 Před 6 měsíci +27

      @@mmark300 Hyperventilating reduces the urge to breathe, but doesn't give more oxygen. Makes it much easier to lose consciousness.

    • @mrjakobt
      @mrjakobt Před 6 měsíci +14

      @@mmark300All you’re doing by hyperventilating is suppressing the natural urge to breathe. That can be very dangerous as that can lead to you becoming unconscious and breathing in water. As the video explains holding your breath is to a large extent depending on psychological aspects. As a lifeguard I increased my diving time significantly with similar techniques to what Brandon mentions.

  • @bradbrad247
    @bradbrad247 Před 2 měsíci +99

    As a free diver and spearfisherman, this was a lovely watch. Breath training and holding is a meditation. It's as much a physical practice as it is a psychological one.

    • @alexanderharris539
      @alexanderharris539 Před 2 měsíci +3

      Agreed. I was self taught and its really fascinating to see the methods I "devolped" are actually used by everyone else as well. Stay safe down there!

    • @bholdr----0
      @bholdr----0 Před měsícem

      @@alexanderharris539
      Yeah. Especially when I was a kid/teen: my brother and I and our friends were competitive swimmers, and we would compete to see who could stay underwater the longest, and who could swim the farthest distance underwater without a breath. (And we'd hold our breath whenever we went through a tunnel, of course! I think all kids do that, eh?)
      One coach once did a lap underwater in a 50 meter Olympic size pool, so 100 meters, in about two minutes or a bit more (I think) I couldn't ever do that, but I can still hold for 3-1/2 minutes pretty easily (after prepping/packing and while staying still (no exertion)... I doubt I could do four, without my life depending it (or maybe with straight O2 before... or if I wasn't a former smoker).
      Cheers!

  • @vero6807
    @vero6807 Před 7 měsíci +4007

    I've been consciously breathing the whole video, which is arguably more torture than what Brandon's doing.

    • @no3ironman11100
      @no3ironman11100 Před 7 měsíci +186

      You are now thinking of your breath again. You are now manually breathing.

    • @Cgraseck
      @Cgraseck Před 7 měsíci +84

      That's funny. As a free diver I always find myself holding my breath when I see people under the water. It's a strange to realize that you haven't been breathing for some time just because you are watching other people not breathing..
      Cheers,
      Chris

    • @Swoost
      @Swoost Před 7 měsíci +30

      @@no3ironman11100 that doesnt work on me anymore, but when youre having a panic attack its like youre manually breathing while never catching your breath, even though physically youre fine and do have enough oxygen your heart start beating out of control which increases your need for oxygen. is terrifying. i dont think anyone has ever died from a panic attack, unless they had a heart condition i guess, but it feels like you are going to which just feeds into the self reinforcing cycle

    • @moos5221
      @moos5221 Před 7 měsíci +37

      i hate when i concentrate on breathing and then i can't stop and have that weird paranoia that i need to keep focussing on it or i'll accidenatally stop...but it takes the littlest distraction and it's gone. but it's so weird sometimes. glad i never learned how to control my hearts muscle. xD

    • @un1c0rn52
      @un1c0rn52 Před 7 měsíci +5

      Haha yeah ive been eating for this video i feel like im suffocating

  • @TimeBucks
    @TimeBucks Před 7 měsíci +1486

    This is fascinating.

  • @seemingly_useless8700
    @seemingly_useless8700 Před 6 měsíci +36

    *The human instinct to hold your breath when you see someone submerged*

  • @fireflyfireworks668
    @fireflyfireworks668 Před 6 měsíci +62

    Really interesting video, and very well explained. As someone with a background as rescue swimmer, I had the "fortune" to experience a pool blackout under controlled and supervised conditions. The really dangerous thing is, as mentioned in the video, when hyperventilating, is the feeling of sensation and happiness while actually passing out. You are (without help from others) dying without noticing.

  • @Heisenberg612
    @Heisenberg612 Před 7 měsíci +1164

    Learning how to hold your breath that long in that short of a period of time is honestly very impressive.

    • @tahoforbreakfast
      @tahoforbreakfast Před 7 měsíci +53

      Very impressive yes but I promise you could do it too! I freedive and you could hit a 3 min breath hold just after a couple of days of training. It feels really surreal when you reach a point of total relaxation wherein not breathing feels just as comfortable as breathing.

    • @KNR90
      @KNR90 Před 7 měsíci +11

      I went an extra minute on top of his time. I don't exercise at all, which doesn't help. Also I was in bed but in a state of intense anxiety which probably cancels out. But also slightly drunk. IDK if v that helps

    • @silverhawkroman
      @silverhawkroman Před 7 měsíci +3

      ​@@KNR90something I noticed is that your entire body breathes through the skin, so immersing is important in this case

    • @zorbakaput8537
      @zorbakaput8537 Před 7 měsíci +4

      @@KNR90 So you passed out. Does it count if you use chemicals (alcohol)? LOL

    • @ytrew9717
      @ytrew9717 Před 7 měsíci

      and not honestly what do you think?

  • @Mxrasaki
    @Mxrasaki Před 7 měsíci +223

    I'll have to say, his ability was breathtaking

    • @-danR
      @-danR Před 6 měsíci +12

      And, tanks to his method, it holds water.

    • @hb1338
      @hb1338 Před 6 měsíci +3

      .. except that he wasn't taking breaths.

  • @meepmonstare
    @meepmonstare Před 2 měsíci +27

    This is fascinating. I live at high altitude (around 6500 ft) so i was waiting for him to bring it up. Genuinely, the increase of how long i can hold my breath at Sea level is amazing

    • @bholdr----0
      @bholdr----0 Před měsícem +2

      Yeah! I'm a former ski bum, and have lived in the mountains at 6k-ish feet, and when I would go down to sea level, it felt like breathing soup... I'd bet a person could train at altitude and then be able to hold a lot longer...
      Though it's the CO2 buildup that makes one feel like they need to breathe. There is a lot more O2 in a breath than people think (like how rebreathers don't take more air than normal scuba, but, rather chemically purge the CO2 to massively increase diving times... Still, it couldn't hurt.
      (Imagine what high altitude mountaieers or Nepalese Sherpas, acclimated to 12-16k feet could do? (I also recall reading that pearl/sponge/oyster divers can routinely hold for four, five, plus minutes while diving for their living, and like Sherpas, I wonder how much is training, and how much is genitic...
      Anyway, cheers!

    • @meepmonstare
      @meepmonstare Před měsícem +1

      I agree. I'd love to research how much altitude adjustment plays into breath holding

    • @bholdr----0
      @bholdr----0 Před měsícem +1

      @@meepmonstare
      Yup... I don't live in the mountains anymore, but it would be informative to, say, run a half marathon (or other simaler hard- for me- endurance exercise) while living at sea level, and then live at 6k ft. for a few months (as a ski bum again?) and then do another half-marathon at se level, and note the changes. (Same goes for breath holding.)
      Very interesting. Cheees!

  • @noahtemple8312
    @noahtemple8312 Před 7 měsíci +85

    I've been freediving since about the age of 7. Whenever I dive, music will start to play in my head, as I go longer and longer the more it becomes noticeable. It's kinda like the mantra that Brandon talked about, after a while, my mind would be completely clear and the only thing left was a wordless song. It's actually extremely therapeutic, I reckon everyone should make a habit of holding their breath underwater.

    • @BeatisMcScoots
      @BeatisMcScoots Před 6 měsíci +18

      as opposed to breathing underwater?

    • @Lauchzelot420_
      @Lauchzelot420_ Před 6 měsíci +8

      Im a Professional scuba diver, occasionally doing free dives and I can 100% relate to your description (ok maybe 95%). It’s just, when your alone and hear nothing but some tides, it feels indescribably calming and relaxing .

    • @noahtemple8312
      @noahtemple8312 Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@BeatisMcScoots Although I do enjoy SCUBA diving, I find the silence of free diving more calming and enjoyable.

    • @noahtemple8312
      @noahtemple8312 Před 6 měsíci +5

      @@Lauchzelot420_ Even more so when you dive in a lake. I live in Fiordland New Zealand and almost exclusively dive in fresh water. There is very little to see, and even less to hear. Literally just your own heartbeat

    • @2KHunter
      @2KHunter Před 12 dny

      JESUS AND GOD LOVES EVERYONE SO MUCH TURN TO THEM BEFORE ITS TO LATE

  • @trezenx
    @trezenx Před 7 měsíci +1785

    Brandon seems like such a nice and kind person, so much endearing and motivation from him. Incredible teacher.

    • @limenode
      @limenode Před 6 měsíci +39

      Seriously. It's rare to see somebody so accomplished, with such a keen ability, that's also able to describe the mechanics of what they're doing, as well as the mental process, in a really useful, detailed way.

    • @John-vk8ot
      @John-vk8ot Před 6 měsíci +6

      He is very passionate about science

    • @user-os7ec4dm8x
      @user-os7ec4dm8x Před 4 měsíci

      Very gay too!

    • @Kepitano
      @Kepitano Před 3 měsíci +2

      @@user-os7ec4dm8x I don't think he's gay unless you're joking 15:15

    • @ivoryas1696
      @ivoryas1696 Před 3 měsíci

      @@user-os7ec4dm8x
      Are... you being serious?

  • @a.c.2219
    @a.c.2219 Před 7 měsíci +1810

    I remember learning lung packing from Bear Grylls. I'd sit at the bottom of the pool as a kid for 3 or 4 minutes at a time. It was one of the most euphoric, meditative things to just be floating in silent weightlessness. There was a point halfway through where you just felt like you could stay down there for another hour as long as you didn't move.

    • @fredriksvard2603
      @fredriksvard2603 Před 7 měsíci +220

      Sounds not entirely safe

    • @a.c.2219
      @a.c.2219 Před 7 měsíci +434

      @fredriksvard2603 after watching this video I now think I was playing with death lmao.

    • @jonpatchmodular
      @jonpatchmodular Před 7 měsíci +101

      Can relate. Sitting down by the ladder, watching the pool or just closing my eyes, enjoying the cool water and the calmness... Probably one of the only things I did as a kid that even came close to meditation and deliberate relaxation.

    • @guiorgy
      @guiorgy Před 7 měsíci +37

      Same here. I'd sometimes compete against others and would enjoy watching them breath in and dive again several times while I remained underwater unmoving.

    • @sidarthur8706
      @sidarthur8706 Před 7 měsíci +32

      that's partly why i can't swim. when my school would take us for swimming lessons i'd spend the time chilling underwater as long as i could because it was the most peace i ever got. the quiet was nice but i worry my brain might have been shutting down as well because of lack of oxygen

  • @victorquesada7530
    @victorquesada7530 Před 7 měsíci

    Brilliant, I loved this. Thanks for the video and how it can impact our lives. The ad was pretty well placed as well lol. The connection to breath and practices of mindfulness that I found by reading up on Buddhism seemed really appropriate.
    Kudos to finding your happy place in lullabies. They are in us so deeply if they have been sung to us from a young age that finding them again is relatively easy.

  • @djmo0re
    @djmo0re Před 6 měsíci +36

    david blaine taught me this same trick. i've learned a lot from you guys too. well done. my longest was a little over 3:30, i thought i was something special, this dude just completely blew my little elementry school training into a full blown career. i knew it was possible. extremely inspiring. ANYONE can learn to hold their breath longer. just like anything else practice makes us progress. great video man!

    • @MotoVengeance
      @MotoVengeance Před 2 měsíci

      Same I got 2:30 and then realized how long it had been and lost it 😂

  • @KenesuEXE
    @KenesuEXE Před 7 měsíci +849

    Actually so proud of Derek to last 2 and a half minutes!
    But, my God, 17 minutes is just WILD

    • @SmallSpoonBrigade
      @SmallSpoonBrigade Před 7 měsíci +16

      And it's still nowhere near the record.

    • @danieliusb2234
      @danieliusb2234 Před 7 měsíci +56

      Thats what she said

    • @KodakYarr
      @KodakYarr Před 7 měsíci +14

      That's with pure oxygen, though

    • @kreynolds1123
      @kreynolds1123 Před 7 měsíci +8

      I do not want to diminish anyone's personal achievements. But I believe almost everyone can do 2.5 min. It's very likely you can too with a little training and practice in a pool.
      Give it a try with some friends. Enjoy and be proud of your personal achievements pushing your self beyond what you thought you could do.

    • @shimizen1693
      @shimizen1693 Před 7 měsíci +42

      @@kreynolds1123 No, do not practice in a pool, that's how people die. Practice on your couch instead.

  • @Marionette_Doll
    @Marionette_Doll Před 7 měsíci +921

    I'm a freediver, so this video is right up my alley! I have a dry static breath hold of 9:15 and I'm working myself up towards the 10-minute mark. Breathing exercises were mentioned in the video, but I wanted to repeat just how important it is to be in the right state of mind. Things like meditation and yoga are huge, and pranayama (a meditation/yoga focused on breathing) is a great mix of all three.

    • @talkingbirb2808
      @talkingbirb2808 Před 7 měsíci +8

      It's logical that right state of mind helps when you sit and do nothing, but does it help when you move during freediving?

    • @drkatel
      @drkatel Před 7 měsíci +10

      Lots of overlap with meditation. I teach mindfulness meditation and suggest some of the same relaxation techniques-making lists to the alphabet, for one. My personal preference for anchoring (to keep my thoughts from rambling) is to do a “body scan.” This must be why my BOLT was longer than I expected considering my torso is short, I’m not skinny and I’m not particularly athletic lol.

    • @TheNadOby
      @TheNadOby Před 7 měsíci +6

      Wait what, 9+ mins of dry, on air?
      That's wild!
      How is your wet goes?
      Never been freediver but had a 3:15 dry in my youth.
      Never taken personal records in water.

    • @scarlettardis2018
      @scarlettardis2018 Před 7 měsíci +4

      Have you tried the wimhoff method? As a full-time smoker, non yogi and non freediver I got 4 and a half minutes laying on my bed first and only time I tried it. (I definitely didn't bother with the dammed ice bath neither) I've always wondered since then if any freedivers had tried to add it to their workouts?

    • @con5577
      @con5577 Před 7 měsíci +20

      @@scarlettardis2018 Wimhoff method is hyperventilating to some extent. Don't add it to freediving.

  • @henryweatherly8865
    @henryweatherly8865 Před měsícem +3

    as a doctor, i was pretty darn impressed with the explanation of the physiology of breathing. expertly done, as per usual

  • @Blaquer17
    @Blaquer17 Před 6 měsíci +81

    I learned in yoga to take the sensation of closing my eyes, and do that over and over again (with my eyes closed) and that is the deep relaxation method I used. I was a breath holder as a kid, and would lie in the tub practicing holding my breath. I remember getting a stopwatch for my 12th birthday and using that to time my breath holds. I got up to 120 seconds and was super excited. Hadn't tried again recently, but got to 100 seconds when trying to keep up with Derek's longest hold.

    • @ambulocetusnatans
      @ambulocetusnatans Před 6 měsíci +1

      I do Qi Gong, and we are taught that holding your breath is very bad. In fact there is one unscrupulous cult (which I won't mention) that uses a modified corruption of Qi Gong to make their victims more susceptible to brainwashing. Holding your breath is really not a good thing to do.

    • @mangotreebs7749
      @mangotreebs7749 Před 6 měsíci

      I hope you had some adult supervision while you held your breath in the bathtub :/

    • @frightenedsoul
      @frightenedsoul Před 3 měsíci

      You should do much better as an adult with bigger lungs. I am out of shape and have no practice and on first attempt I got a minute and a half.

  • @boomfiziks
    @boomfiziks Před 7 měsíci +496

    Please be careful with the breath holding. During my teen years, I was a lifeguard. While interviewing for a second lifeguarding position at an indoor pool that also taught scuba diving, there was an emergency. While my future boss was giving me a tour of the pool, we heard yelling at the diving well. We ran over, we dove in and pulled a boy out of the 16’ diving well. A group of kids were doing a breath holding competition. The boy hyperventilated before holding his breath. He passed out while holding his breath. We had to do chest compressions, and we got a regular pulse, but he died on the way to the hospital. 😢😢😢. It’s amazing what the human body can do and the things we’ve learned, but I see this as a pointless activity/competition. Whether in or out of the water, I don’t allow people (especially kids) to partake in breath holding competitions. That was the first time I ever had to put my cpr training into practice…and the kid died. Thank goodness we had a lot of highly trained people show up and they were appreciative that I acted quickly, but that experience messed me up for a while. 30 years later, I’m still haunted by that event. Please, be cautious of this and do NOT have children attempt this!

    • @josephjoestar953
      @josephjoestar953 Před 7 měsíci +48

      I normally call it quits after the urge to breath dies down, because at that point it's just scary.

    • @mrtie6799
      @mrtie6799 Před 7 měsíci +62

      Thanks for drawing attention to this
      It’s called ‘shallow water blackout’ and almost no one knows about it unless they’ve experienced it first hand like you

    • @Flashv28
      @Flashv28 Před 7 měsíci +17

      Dont tell this dude the % of people surviving cpr in hospital is ≈ 15 %

    • @mikejettusa
      @mikejettusa Před 7 měsíci +5

      Very good points. I hope people take them seriously.

    • @boomfiziks
      @boomfiziks Před 7 měsíci +48

      @@Flashv28 I realize that, but not doing anything the survival rate is basically 0%. Yet an AED survival rate is nearly 75%, but their chances drop nearly 10% every minute…unless CPR can be administered. CPR helps to maintain their time and success of revival when an AED is enroute.

  • @ClawDragoon
    @ClawDragoon Před 7 měsíci +263

    Brandon was genuinely so encouraging and charismatic

    • @sixfootcreations273
      @sixfootcreations273 Před 7 měsíci +24

      I’m glad you enjoyed, we had so much fun shooting this video and we’re so grateful to Dr. Muller for having us on to share our fun!

    • @calholli
      @calholli Před 7 měsíci +3

      This should be expected by everyone

    • @moos5221
      @moos5221 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Yes, 100% this. You recognize people with a positive attitude to live and people right away, that's the way to go!

  • @xvillin
    @xvillin Před 7 měsíci +2

    I remember trying to do this in my dad's pool when I was younger. I got up to three and a half minutes before I started getting headaches, so I stopped doing it. I thought it was very impressive that I could learn to do that. It was one of the most serene activities that I could do. I loved it.

  • @Otterpawp
    @Otterpawp Před 7 měsíci +1

    Brandon has all yhe qualities of a great coach.

  • @corruo
    @corruo Před 7 měsíci +760

    That was actually crazy how effective going through the alphabet and pausing between each letter was. I watched once through, and my first breath hold with you on the bed was about 40 seconds. My second one while you were in the pool was just over 2 minutes.

    • @parthsangamnere7087
      @parthsangamnere7087 Před 7 měsíci +9

      Same here

    • @sixfootcreations273
      @sixfootcreations273 Před 7 měsíci +140

      So glad you like this strategy!!! - Brandon

    • @ToyKeeper
      @ToyKeeper Před 7 měsíci +7

      I tried once while sitting up and kind of tense, and went a bit over a minute before I started feeling weird. I didn't try a second time, but I think I might try tonight in bed.

    • @flipnshifty
      @flipnshifty Před 6 měsíci

      Going against the body's natural mechanisms isn't healthy. They're there for a reason.

    • @Kaldrin
      @Kaldrin Před 6 měsíci +2

      Same here, impressive.

  • @RealShadowspirit
    @RealShadowspirit Před 7 měsíci +50

    These people have the will power to reduce their breathing addiction, it's amazing

    • @titusgray4598
      @titusgray4598 Před 7 měsíci

      Everyone that has ever breathed will die, ergo breathing causes death. Thus, not breathing is how these people are able to not die. They’re cheating death and that is why I am calling the police.

    • @ryuguy032197
      @ryuguy032197 Před 7 měsíci +1

      life gives us beathing and lemons.....we need to throw both of those away🤣

  • @sammuslu2992
    @sammuslu2992 Před 6 měsíci +2

    He has taken my breath away,wow well done 👍🏼

  • @boobear1907
    @boobear1907 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Great video idea with the split screen thing. Something new finally

  • @maltezachariassen7496
    @maltezachariassen7496 Před 7 měsíci +147

    As a teacher, I really hope people can appreciate how brilliantly Brandon creates a positive learning environment WHILE also pushing someone to exceed their limits - both physically and psychologically

    • @melissajames308
      @melissajames308 Před 7 měsíci +4

      Thank you for noticing this, I think it's really important in any sport but rarely noticed or discussed

    • @svenzetterlund2459
      @svenzetterlund2459 Před 7 měsíci +6

      "Be brave, do it afraid", I liked this

    • @JoshuaTootell
      @JoshuaTootell Před 7 měsíci

      While I have only used one flight instructor so far, but this is my experience so far in learning how to flight. Very relaxing and positive.
      The guy even knows that I'm prior military, and an athlete, and is still super calm with me.

  • @DavidsDreamFactory
    @DavidsDreamFactory Před 7 měsíci +682

    Brandon is a legend! loved seeing him holding his breath the whole video

    • @volvo09
      @volvo09 Před 7 měsíci +5

      That was insane.

    • @sixfootcreations273
      @sixfootcreations273 Před 7 měsíci +9

      Thanks Dave, we love you too!!!

    • @blah204
      @blah204 Před 7 měsíci +2

      Only downside is that I garantee this video is gonna make a bunch of idiots hurt themselves lmfao

    • @mimetype
      @mimetype Před 7 měsíci +1

      Why is he dead sill in the tank but the water is making waves at the top?

    • @volvo09
      @volvo09 Před 7 měsíci

      @@blah204 doubt it. I'm sure plenty of us tested how long we could hold our breath, and that's all people will do.

  • @user-tm5wp6lr1i
    @user-tm5wp6lr1i Před 2 měsíci +1

    tried this at home. worked like a charm, now i can hear colors and see sounds

  • @UWRZoneTheCurrent
    @UWRZoneTheCurrent Před 6 měsíci +19

    1:53 Hyperventilation was a common trick amongst freedivers to extend the time spent underwater but as explained in the video, it is very dangerous as it only delays the urge to breathe, but doesn't provide more oxygen at all. It is so risky that the many incidents coined the term "shallow water blackout" for losing consciousness as a consequence of voluntary hyperventilation before the dive, differentiating it from ascent blackout, which is due to lowered oxygen partial pressure caused by a reduction in ambient pressure.
    The most fun way to push your limits is to throw a ball into a diving pool and start playing rugby with your friends. The average length of a dive in UWR is somewhere between 10 and 20 seconds, but these are very intense seconds, you'll be trying to take air in through your body's every hole :) It's a different way of taming the urge to breathe and making your body work more efficiently, but it does allow UWR players longer static apneas.

  • @mountainmover777
    @mountainmover777 Před 7 měsíci +241

    I used to do this as a kid in the bathtub... I would totally relax and stay as still as possible. I was pretty impressed with myself when I made it to over 2 minutes.. I can't imagine holding my breath for this long. Insane!

    • @squitlertron
      @squitlertron Před 7 měsíci +22

      Bro i'm just imagining your mom walking in on you and freaking out thinking you've drowned

    • @fprintf
      @fprintf Před 7 měsíci +5

      I used to do this at the bottom of our backyard pool. I'd swim down there and just lay on the bottom. How my Mom didn't freak out is beyond me... GenX stuff I guess!

    • @LabGecko
      @LabGecko Před 6 měsíci +4

      @@fprintf I did the same at the city pool as a kid (before the internet, heh). Freaked lifeguards out a few times, but my parents were always telling them "No, he's just a good swimmer."

  • @Sora-bo2rl
    @Sora-bo2rl Před 7 měsíci +672

    I can’t just hold for 2 minutes. This guy is a superhuman

    • @ocoolwow
      @ocoolwow Před 7 měsíci +32

      It probably isn't very healthy for you anyway

    • @voidrendx6601
      @voidrendx6601 Před 7 měsíci +83

      @@ocoolwow imma caution you hold your opinion on things you dont know anything about, cause no. its not unhealthy

    • @A-Negative
      @A-Negative Před 7 měsíci +14

      Try Whim Hoff. You’ll be able to do 4 mins in a few weeks no problem. Plus you feel great after.

    • @pyropulseIXXI
      @pyropulseIXXI Před 7 měsíci +3

      I held for just over 4 minutes my first try

    • @pyropulseIXXI
      @pyropulseIXXI Před 7 měsíci +5

      @@ocoolwow It isn't unhealthy either; it literally does no damage to you

  • @sphenopalatineganglioneuralgia

    This was such a cool idea for a video! Veritasium--such a great channel.

  • @smellylettuce
    @smellylettuce Před 7 měsíci +417

    I used to be able to go about 4 minutes. I can't imagine how he's able to manage this long. Pretty amazing.

    • @garrysekelli6776
      @garrysekelli6776 Před 7 měsíci

      He takes heroin before performing this act.

    • @onurarabac7111
      @onurarabac7111 Před 7 měsíci +6

      with breathing 100 percent oksijen tank before static apnea and it is like doping so it is against the sport spirit

    • @physco4641
      @physco4641 Před 7 měsíci +13

      ​@@onurarabac7111 10+ mins with normal sir isn't bad.

    • @onurarabac7111
      @onurarabac7111 Před 7 měsíci

      @@physco4641 what do you mean with normal

    • @Lumi_nance
      @Lumi_nance Před 7 měsíci +4

      ​@@onurarabac7111maybe the performer in the video did 10min with normal air. At least, that's what his comment imply

  • @aka_tinyglobepreasentations
    @aka_tinyglobepreasentations Před 7 měsíci +11

    1:00 dang now I am breathing manually darn Veritasium

  • @Msalaine
    @Msalaine Před 6 měsíci +1

    I have the body type they describe as the best for this stuff… I’ve always been able to do about 3 minutes as a breath hold. This has encouraged me to try and practice to see if I can do one of those ridiculous like 7-8 minute holds

  • @asymmetricfuzion970
    @asymmetricfuzion970 Před 6 měsíci +2

    I would never be interested in doing it but I absolutely love that this type of performance art exists within the magic and illusion space because it means that it does really blur the line between is this an illusion or is it real?
    It’s very cool

  • @krissam7791
    @krissam7791 Před 7 měsíci +7

    There's a TED talk from David Blaine where he talks about his personal record (17 min iirc), starting all the way from him wanting to do it as a magic trick to him realizing that doing it for real is easier and performing it, I highly recommend it.

  • @Noodlyk18
    @Noodlyk18 Před 7 měsíci +109

    I remember finding a random article about this when I was like 15, giving some exercises to do. Got me from 60s to around 3.30, then about 4 after learning the urge to breath can be ignored more or less safely. Still not recommended to do this without someone nearby just in case, but it's super interesting stuff. I'm willing to bet the people who do this are at least a little bit addicted to the feeling of relaxation/euphoria associated with it, it's very meditative especially when submerged. I totally get it.

    • @remixtheidiot5771
      @remixtheidiot5771 Před 7 měsíci +2

      i agree. my favorite thing to do any time my family goes out to swimming resorts (assuming water slides are out of the question) is just finding a nice spot and holding my breath for as long as possible and imagine I'm in one of those sensory deprivation chambers.
      I nearly drowned once as a kid when I accidentally found myself stuck under a floaty filled with people once and couldn't swim away from them, so perhaps fhere's some adrenaline rush in it for me whenever I do it. Challenging and overcoming that trauma or something.

    • @influentialnobody8960
      @influentialnobody8960 Před 7 měsíci +2

      Ive heard people just die , since the breathe reflex is ignored if they go too far they just blackout and die

    • @aarondavis8943
      @aarondavis8943 Před 7 měsíci +1

      I remember getting to about 2 minutes within days after reading Ganesh for school (In the book, they use meditative techniques to hold their breath) . It was surprising how quickly my breath holding improved at that age (13 years old). Eventually I got to about 3:30 if I remember correctly.
      I just got 1:30 which surprised me as I smoked for 30 years and only quit 3 years ago. I reckon I can get back to 2 minutes by tomorrow 😁

    • @aarondavis8943
      @aarondavis8943 Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@influentialnobody8960 I think it's pretty rare, though, because the moment you black out your body _typically_ goes autobreath mode, even after breath holding training.
      Still, probably best to not do this in a pool with no one else around.

  • @seancore5696
    @seancore5696 Před 2 měsíci

    AMAZING VIDEO. Very informative. Thank you. Just held 1:30 after using the advice that was given in the video.

  • @user-wq4ty7jk9j
    @user-wq4ty7jk9j Před 6 měsíci

    Thx for all Ur help guys

  • @ishwarpagrut2275
    @ishwarpagrut2275 Před 7 měsíci +10

    Whose worrying every time you see Brandon and can't focus on the video 💀💀
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Yeah I am also the one🤣

  • @umbrascitor2079
    @umbrascitor2079 Před 7 měsíci +166

    I remember teaching myself how to extend my breath hold in a swimming pool as a kid. Figured out breath packing, and counting time really slow so that by the time I reached a count of 100 I'd been down about 2.5 minutes, eventually breaking 3-3.5 minutes by counting even slower. Developed the capacity to swim from one end of the pool to the other, back, and over again on one breath.
    The water has to be at a comfortable temperature to get a better time. I live in a colder climate now and pools are chillier, so my body consumes more oxygen to stay warm and I have trouble holding my breath so long.

    • @coulie27
      @coulie27 Před 7 měsíci

      same story here. my slowed thought was always running a sports play in extreme slow motion. a batter running to first base. Now can do that 0.25× on youtube. ⚾😎🙏

    • @SSJ3Tim
      @SSJ3Tim Před 7 měsíci +4

      Same here on every count! I think my record was just over 3 minutes, and I was also able to cross my parents' pool multiple times on a single breath. I did use hyperventilating as well because, at the time, I believed that it oxygenated my blood. This video is the first time that I heard it only removes carbon dioxide!
      I was happy to find I was pretty easily able to hold my breath for about a minute forty during this video, just sitting here at my desk, and that's without breath packing or really getting my heart rate down.

    • @mmark300
      @mmark300 Před 6 měsíci

      ​@SSJ3Tim I like to see how far I can swim underwater and always swim further after hyperventilating, so this part of the video confuses me. Maybe it becomes more detrimental after a longer period of time than I am able to hold my breath and swim.

    • @XiaolinDraconis
      @XiaolinDraconis Před 6 měsíci +8

      Have you tried peeing? That's how I stay warm in my friends pool.

    • @XiaolinDraconis
      @XiaolinDraconis Před 6 měsíci

      ​@@mmark300how far, or how long? If you're measuring distance then your variables are all over the place. How could you possibly control speed while hyperventilating? You have to measure time under while in motion.

  • @x9x9x9x9x9
    @x9x9x9x9x9 Před 6 měsíci +2

    There is a weird mental state you get into while doing long breath holds underwater that can't really be explained but its very tranquil and I found having my eyes open helped a lot.

  • @Scroolewse
    @Scroolewse Před 5 měsíci +1

    I like that you got into the scary drowning stuff right towards the end when you can see him getting uncomfortable. really nice tension

  • @Cranefly
    @Cranefly Před 7 měsíci +14

    I paused the video and came back 30 minutes later, and he was still holding his breath! Incredible!

  • @kashmirha
    @kashmirha Před 7 měsíci +19

    I love his laughter. So energetic. So prositive.

    • @sixfootcreations273
      @sixfootcreations273 Před 7 měsíci +14

      Thank you! We had so much filming this, when I watched it with CC on it said maniacal laughter when I was laughing and I nearly spit my drink. Glad you enjoyed, we are so grateful for Derek having us on this episode!

    • @HuntersDad.
      @HuntersDad. Před 7 měsíci +2

      😂 I absolutely love Brandon's laugh, it's fantastically crazy sounding and catchy lol if I would've seen maniacal laughter in CCs I'd have died omg 😆

    • @TheRlovett
      @TheRlovett Před 7 měsíci

      Yes I agree, I get a sense he has reached some euphoric state through this work. A very powerful mind. The ability to turn off thoughts is just amazing

  • @japaneseboy3
    @japaneseboy3 Před měsícem

    Well made as always. Love these videos

  • @ulalaFrugilega
    @ulalaFrugilega Před 5 měsíci +1

    Before I even start I realise how much I trust this guy...
    After, I REALLY enjoy breathing!

  • @Gibbon4k
    @Gibbon4k Před 7 měsíci +17

    I have nothing to say but "WOW".
    I am just amazed by the thing you manage to do

  • @nicksrub
    @nicksrub Před 7 měsíci +5

    @Veritasium one of my favorites of your videos!
    AMAZING that you're still going strong after all these years!

  • @shegosilver4722
    @shegosilver4722 Před 6 měsíci

    We've watched our vid, done whatever we want, done all the ads we wanted, but this guy on the right is still holding hus breath

  • @user-rd6cv9ml2q
    @user-rd6cv9ml2q Před 6 měsíci

    Interesting video, extreme people, very strong and it feels like they are not from our world. Well done!!!

  • @JL_____
    @JL_____ Před 7 měsíci +9

    I didn't realize he was talking to the same guy doing the breath holding until 16:00 lol🤣🤣🤦‍♂

    • @karoleq3129
      @karoleq3129 Před 6 měsíci +1

      Me too, I've realized few seconds earlier

  • @Incognito-uc9ts
    @Incognito-uc9ts Před 7 měsíci +45

    Brandon is just a guy that loves what he can do, smiling all the time

    • @sixfootcreations273
      @sixfootcreations273 Před 7 měsíci +10

      Thank you I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, I really do love what I do and I hope others can feel the same joy and excitement!

  • @anoramba
    @anoramba Před 7 měsíci +2

    I fast forwarded through the ad to help Brandon out

  • @360.Tapestry
    @360.Tapestry Před 5 měsíci

    i had been training my breath hold with wim hoff method. makes sense that hyperventilating (lowering your ability to hold your breath - putting your body in a tougher position) would contribute to increasing your overall ability to hold your breath

  • @superhydrocarbon
    @superhydrocarbon Před 7 měsíci +55

    This video has VERY strong “The Tenet” vibes. The way Brandon describes the technique and walks us through the mental journey with such preciseness is like a master training a new person, both physically and mentally, for an epic fight.

  • @KimHoJu
    @KimHoJu Před 7 měsíci +5

    Thank you very much Derek and everyone in the veritasium team for all your amazing videos!

  • @leduchugo2986
    @leduchugo2986 Před 6 měsíci

    Impressive, inspiring and breathtaking

  • @Insanemasters
    @Insanemasters Před 2 měsíci

    this video is breathtaking

  • @bomberex7809
    @bomberex7809 Před 7 měsíci +117

    I have sleep apnea so I basically sleep in a hyperbaric chamber every night. I suspect its one of the reasons that despite being a bit on the heavier side 170 lbs at 5'8" I have decent breath holding ability. I also used to swim and play French horn in middle school into high school and practiced breathing technique and breath holding.

    • @veritasium
      @veritasium  Před 7 měsíci +105

      I was also a French horn player!

    • @bomberex7809
      @bomberex7809 Před 7 měsíci +27

      @@veritasium The few but the proud

    • @JustAnotherBuckyLover
      @JustAnotherBuckyLover Před 7 měsíci +11

      That's... not how it works. CPAP/APAP isn't anything like a hyperbaric chamber, and neither a hyperbaric chamber nor CPAP/APAP is going to increase your capacity to hold your breath. It's literally just some air at reasonably low pressure for most people (usually not more than about the pressure it takes to blow bubbles through a straw into a tall glass of water) stenting open your airway so it doesn't get blocked (think of one of those wacky inflatable wavy arm things, or a bouncy castle - the constant flow of air blows it out and keeps the tubes expanded, but when the flow of air drops, they collapse in on themselves).
      That's assuming that you have OSA, of course, and not central sleep apnea like I have - where my brain literally just forgets to breathe, and I have to be ventilated and on oxygen at night because otherwise I spend 90% of the night with precipitously low oxygen levels and stop breathing over 100 times an hour, for up to 90 seconds at a time. Unfortunately, because the pressure and type of ventilation I need are more complex, the ventilation causes my alveoli to collapse if I come off the ventilator too fast when I wake up, and let me tell you, THAT is not fun at all.

    • @bomberex7809
      @bomberex7809 Před 7 měsíci +2

      @@JustAnotherBuckyLover I don't use a CPAP. I meant to say my dad has sleep apnea and he tells me my snoring sounds just like his sleep apnea snoring. Like I stop breathing multiple times during the night. I am not medically sure that I have it. But from the accounts of friends and family, I probably will take a sleep study soon.
      The hyperbaric chamber was referring to my snoring reducing my air intake.

    • @eSKAone-
      @eSKAone- Před 7 měsíci +7

      He meant hypobaric, but it's still not the same.

  • @martinvergaravargas4301
    @martinvergaravargas4301 Před 7 měsíci +11

    I loved this video, it feels very therapeutic to hold the breath. My personal record by just breathing a lot before holding is approximately 5 minutes now I just want to see how much more I can achieve with these advices.

    • @frightenedsoul
      @frightenedsoul Před 3 měsíci

      Try and watch an engaging CZcams video on your next attempt. I honestly feel like distracting your mind without expending calories to engage it by trying to distract it with your own imagination is super beneficial.

  • @XboxAffrayer
    @XboxAffrayer Před 2 měsíci +1

    Tried to see how long I could watch this video with 1 breath. Made it to 6:41. This guy on the side is a champ for sure!

  • @kirandeepchakraborty7921
    @kirandeepchakraborty7921 Před 7 měsíci

    Really appreciate such unique videos ❤

  • @Alexandertygreat
    @Alexandertygreat Před 7 měsíci +5

    I really enjoy breathing. This really does give me a new appreciation for breathing. When praticed effectively, just deep breathing exercises is better then any anti-anxiety meds available.

  • @karthiksriram6323
    @karthiksriram6323 Před 7 měsíci +8

    11:13 That "When have I not breathed for a minute? Maybe never in my whole life" kicked something in me and now, I want to try it too

  • @jzneto
    @jzneto Před 7 měsíci +108

    Thanks for this video, Derek. Funny that I'm "diving" in this matter a lot is the past week.
    Last wednesday I held my breath for 3m15s in the pool. My record is still 5m02s but that one was on dry land 😁.
    If you have some time, please make a video over the mammalian divers, especially sperm whales! Their biology is fascinating as well. There are some birds too.

    • @Michael_Insects
      @Michael_Insects Před 6 měsíci +1

      WHAT I can't even hold my breath for 1 minute!

    • @chessandmusicwithoskiez6241
      @chessandmusicwithoskiez6241 Před 6 měsíci

      It’s alright same

    • @ChainsawChristmas
      @ChainsawChristmas Před 6 měsíci +1

      5 minutes is great!

    • @OEclecticismO
      @OEclecticismO Před 6 měsíci

      Isn't holding the breath on dry land much harder? You should easily do more than 5 minutes under water

    • @jzneto
      @jzneto Před 6 měsíci

      @@OEclecticismO For most people yes, they usually get relaxed in water and can perform better. But not for me, holding my breath in water makes me a bit nervous lol

  • @HeySpecified
    @HeySpecified Před 22 dny

    As a national level swimmer,this video taught me quite a few ways to understand my breaths. while swimming even 1 wasted movement could decide if u are going take extra breaths while swimming or not which would heavily affect the position u are going to be at those wasted movement and extra breaths can take your rank from 1st to 3rd or even below.Every movement has to be precise.Thank you for this video😭💖

  • @rajrigby8385
    @rajrigby8385 Před 7 měsíci +7

    These are the mantras at 7:39
    Come what may
    Seek a direction not a location
    Think free, live wild
    Fear is a waste of imagination
    Rest before productivity does
    Worthless shapes of self pity, go!
    We are all museums of fear
    Don't learn to sail boats upside down
    all concepts begin on trial
    Pretend. Enjoy
    Rest before progress does [rest].
    Focus on the process
    Disarm yourself first
    Complete what is next
    Be brave: do it afraid
    Scuttle the lead
    Do not hide what you seek

    • @sixfootcreations273
      @sixfootcreations273 Před 7 měsíci +2

      I’m glad you enjoyed these! I have them up in my lab/work space to keep me mindful of my intentions and they’re so helpful when I do these long breath holds!

  • @LukasTheBlue
    @LukasTheBlue Před 7 měsíci +5

    As a swimmer an addition i would add is when the body starts to suggest that you need a breath start to breahe out. Only do the smallest "bubbles" possible and only one "bubble" per second. This helps me get past the wall for the last 30 or more.

  • @Valthekid
    @Valthekid Před 4 měsíci

    This guys a great teacher

  • @HeisenbergFam
    @HeisenbergFam Před 7 měsíci +6

    "please dont try this at home" instructions unclear, I've already suffocated to death

    • @bosssnurp5912
      @bosssnurp5912 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Can I come to your funeral?

    • @ngcf4238
      @ngcf4238 Před 7 měsíci

      Shoo shoo go away chat bot
      Do not like this comment guys

    • @SpaceBlockRR
      @SpaceBlockRR Před 7 měsíci

      Damn

  • @RandallStephens397
    @RandallStephens397 Před 7 měsíci +4

    I remember seeing a ted talk(?) years ago about this and the top comment has lived rent-free inside my brain ever since: "man holds breath for 17 minutes, talks about it for 18"

  • @jeffreygerber
    @jeffreygerber Před 6 měsíci

    Blissfulness, clarity, and focus come as a direct result of learning to calm and control the mind and body. Imagine if schools taught this before reading, writing, and arithmetic!

  • @BringTheKain
    @BringTheKain Před 6 měsíci +3

    So happy seeing you stay positive. I believe that you'll get this eventually. Love ya man!

    • @culwin
      @culwin Před 6 měsíci

      Get what?

    • @BringTheKain
      @BringTheKain Před 6 měsíci

      @@culwin I have no idea, but a comment I put on a friend's video wound up on this one too.
      Pretty funny out of context though now

  • @ten-dimension9390
    @ten-dimension9390 Před 7 měsíci +5

    5:57 that clip of the baby going underwater was really cute.

  • @dhudach
    @dhudach Před 7 měsíci +297

    This is fascinating. Do we know if there are long term impacts doing this on a regular basis, benefits as well as negative health issues? The obvious benefits that stand out would probably be ability to control breathing, endurance. But are there other subtle benefits. And what about the negative health issues like damage to brain cells? What do the health studies suggest? As always, another outstanding topic and video.

    • @srellison561
      @srellison561 Před 7 měsíci +94

      I was wondering about damaging brain cells, also. On the other hand, 4 oz of alcohol kills about a million brain cells, so it's probably less of an issue holding your breath than knocking back a few drinks after work.

    • @karlrovey
      @karlrovey Před 7 měsíci +13

      Given that he isn't passing out, he's not teaching the threshold for brain damage.

    • @dhudach
      @dhudach Před 7 měsíci +81

      @@karlrovey With all due respect, passing out seems to me like short term impact. I was wondering about studies that track people who do this over a long period of time. I can imagine that changes to body chemistry and biology would be subtle and not noticeable in the short term. But over a long period of time, years for example, the effects could accumulate.

    • @NONO-hz4vo
      @NONO-hz4vo Před 7 měsíci +29

      I was far more curious about this than the method behind building the skill. We know there are long term affects associated with a lot of endurance pursuits that I would think this would mimic.

    • @CuteLethalPuppy
      @CuteLethalPuppy Před 7 měsíci +33

      There have been studies that indicate breath holding can cause brain damage. Search for: breath holding brain damage, That said in some cases involving actual diving the brain injuries might be due to "decompression sickness" (the dissolved air in the the blood "fizzing" out) or similar.
      But for other cases, it's already a fact that a human brain requires quite a lot of oxygen. If the brain didn't need that much oxygen there would be fewer stroke victims in the world... So. don't over do it - go look up the number of minutes human brains can go without oxygen and stick to below the lower number.

  • @Ridlay_
    @Ridlay_ Před 6 měsíci

    This is so freaking fascinating.

  • @giedriusmalikenas320
    @giedriusmalikenas320 Před 5 měsíci

    This is breathtaking.

  • @thetangaledbug7670
    @thetangaledbug7670 Před 7 měsíci +10

    Don't Take Sponsorships From Better Help..!

  • @zmonsterk
    @zmonsterk Před 7 měsíci +3

    As a diver all my life I understand all of this and the relaxation techniques as mentioned to increase breath hold self taught as I am now 63. I don’t really count times or depths for that matter anymore basically because I hunt so it more about achieving the hunt than thinking about it! But I really liked this episode 😊

  • @rsquared9703
    @rsquared9703 Před 6 měsíci

    Practice is a big part of it.
    Not my brightest idea in life but I taught myself how to free dive over a few months during a temporary work opportunity. I was determined to get good at holding my breath and avoid being jealous of scuba divers.
    My best was about 2:30 while going to about 50’ down where I stopped floating. It made it easy to relax and just watch the fishies.
    But, none of my coworkers could dive down to get me if something went wrong…

  • @jswets5007
    @jswets5007 Před 2 měsíci

    Oh man, he made almost all the way. Good job.

  • @NorbiWhitney
    @NorbiWhitney Před 7 měsíci +6

    Absolutely loved seeing Brandon pop up on my feed. Awesome dude, and incredible artist, perfectly presented here. Thanks Veritasium.

  • @MrDISSxD
    @MrDISSxD Před 7 měsíci +4

    Is there a danger of brain damage when you push holding your breath so far?

  • @maemilev
    @maemilev Před 6 měsíci

    i think u got a valid point on breath holder that are tall and skinny are better at holding breaths. met many short swimmers, all are bad holding breathers. And your breath holding score was impressive!!! Anyone above 1 minute and 30 seconds are above average fit!

  • @abhaybansal9904
    @abhaybansal9904 Před 6 měsíci

    Hey, can you do a video on the double slit experiment and explain what instrument is used to observe the photons. I have seen a bunch of videos which says that the interference pattern disappears as soon as we observe the particles but noone explains how we observe them. I would really love some insight into that because it's a really intriguing and interesting experiment. I really hope you read this. ❤

  • @The8blackwidow8
    @The8blackwidow8 Před 7 měsíci +18

    What the hell? Mark Rober, Real Engineering and now Veritasium uploading on a single day. Today is a good day.

  • @aaditya2024
    @aaditya2024 Před 7 měsíci +13

    Hey Derek, if you're reading this, thank you so much for inspiring me each and every time I watch your videos. I am 17 year old boy with seemingly impossible dreams, but you change my perspective every single time. For example here, til this date, I thought largest breath holding record was max 4 or 5 minutes, never Googled it, but 24+ minutes?!! That's crazy! That was new example for me that nothing is impossible if done with determination, thank you so much again for doing what you are, I hope to meet you in future.

  • @lineakristensen1821
    @lineakristensen1821 Před 7 měsíci +3

    This is super fascinating. I'm a smoker so I'm not going for anything like 2.5 minutes, but I love hand standing in our pool in summer. And I'd like to be able to do that for a longer time.
    After practicing a bit, I did notice that I overcame the first urge to breathe and stayed for a bit longer, maybe double the time.
    But in all fairness that's like 10 and 20 seconds, respectively, with me 😂

    • @Zuignap
      @Zuignap Před 6 měsíci

      Overcoming that urge to breathe and fighting it is the biggest part to reaching longer times. I could hold my breath for 1 min and was interested if I could train it to extend it, so I taught myself to hold it longer once a night in my bed for like 1-2 weeks. I can now hold my breath for 2 minutes if I try, but I'm scared of going any longer because I'm depriving my brain of oxygen

  • @emilyscloset2648
    @emilyscloset2648 Před 6 měsíci

    There is a channel I watch that ends their videos 'peace in every breath'.
    The one phase has increased my length of breath holds from the 1 min 30 to somewhere 2-3 mins.
    Focusing on the light and peace, nothing else matters

  • @Lennybird91
    @Lennybird91 Před 7 měsíci +65

    My best over the summer in the pool after trial-and-error was 2:13 so that's impressive how quickly you got to 2:30+! I learned right away that hyperventilating was counter-productive. I learned to relax the muscles and get into a trance state. I didn't consider lung-packing, but I tell you what worked for me to extend my time: I would slowly trickle out the air in my lungs after the first minute or so after. I would sink to the bottom of the pool. Then, when the CO2 sensors are screaming at me to surface to breathe, I try to fool myself by acting like I'm slowly coming up and then hold a little while longer before finally surfacing.

    • @josepha3805
      @josepha3805 Před 7 měsíci +4

      Oh man this is so scary, I can't even try it! I just do some ice bucket

    • @Zuignap
      @Zuignap Před 6 měsíci +4

      I can get 2 min laying in bed and start breathing after that, I'm scared of damaging my brain if I push it any harder. Haven't tried in water and frankly think that's a bit more scary seeing how you can drown if you black out

    • @Lennybird91
      @Lennybird91 Před 6 měsíci +3

      @@Zuignap Yeah understandable! Definitely not the safest thing lol. Just to note, the body has sufficient oxygen for the brain generally for about 4-5 minutes. As the video notes, what you're feeling is the buildup of CO2.

    • @bholdr----0
      @bholdr----0 Před 4 měsíci

      Yeah-practice, conditioning, etc, like everything.
      I used to swim competively, and climb (at mid altitude) recreationally, and when I just now tried to hold, economic attempt, I got to @3:30+ (am 45, a smoker, 5'8, 175, in barely 1/2 decent shape...). Probably could have done more if it was consequential, maybe. Thoughts?

    • @d_lta
      @d_lta Před 2 měsíci

      ​@@Zuignaphavent watched the video, but isnt it easier to hold your breath for longer underwater?

  • @VicJang
    @VicJang Před 7 měsíci +10

    I did the test with Derek and got 1 min 40 seconds. Another great video! Thanks so much for sharing with us.

    • @evertchin
      @evertchin Před 7 měsíci +1

      i guess i am a natural as well. i can hold at least 95 seconds without much effort and without any prior training.

    • @VicJang
      @VicJang Před 7 měsíci +1

      I tried again today with some of the simple techniques mentioned in this video and got 2 min 30 seconds!
      I’m not sure if there’s any real reason to try getting better if I’m not regularly swimming/diving, but it’s fun being able to hold my breath longer I guess.