◄     SOMATIC LEARNING: PCO₂ play dynamics ►

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Somatic-learning is about play dynamics for awareness of the effects of breathing. Fundamental to behavioural management of hypocapnia are the following:

● learning to experience the somatic (i.e., physical) subtleties of PCO₂ changes (e.g., clarity of consciousness),

● extinguishing classically conditioned emotional responses to the effects of hypocapnia (e.g., fear elicited by disorientation,

● extinguishing operant responses emitted by the effects of hypocapnia (e.g., breathlessness emits “reaching for air”),

● learning new operant behaviours to the effects of hypocapnia (e.g., quieter breathing), and

● cognitive learning of new thoughts (e.g., embracing, rather than defending).

Paramount to success is making the effects of hypocapnia

discriminative stimuli (S^D) for adaptive breathing mechanics.

The experiential effects of hypocapnia vary greatly from person to person. Learning to physically identify the effects of hypocapnia, as in the case of breathing mechanics, is achieved through chemistry play. What does it physically feel like to breathe at 35 mmHg vs. 30 mmHg, or 25 vs. 30 mmHg? Trainees learn by monitoring PCO₂ levels and changing them intentionally, moving down to one level and back to the previous level. If someone can overbreathe down to 30 mmHg on purpose, and then know how to get back to 35 mmHg, an awareness of the differences begin to emerge. Ultimately, the result is awareness of even small changes in chemistry along with the mechanical shifts required for restoring good chemistry. Train first with PCO₂ feedback. Then train without it.

How does playing with PCO₂ feedback specifically affect the individual? Are there noticeable changes in muscle tension: in the jaws, around the eyes, below the ears, around the vocal chords, across the forehead, and in the upper back, shoulders, chest, and abdomen? Is there spasm or tetany? Is skin temperature changing: in the fingers, hands, feet, face, or ears? Does the person feel cold, or hot? Is there numbness, tingling, light-headedness, feeling of being off-balance, blurred vision, dry mouth, stiffness, or forehead pressure? Is there ringing in your ears? Do sounds seem closer or more distant? Does the person feel nausea, pain, or cardiac changes (e.g., a racing heart)?

Basic principles of breathing mechanics for raising PCO₂ levels include coaching clients to use the diaphragm, to breathe more slowly, to allow the exhale, to be present for the transition, to allow the inhale to come on its own, and to observe how little air is actually required for achieving maximum comfort. During this time ask your client what s(he) feels, physically and emotionally. Are physical sensations changing, disappearing, or emerging? Are emotions engaging or disengaging?

Copyrighted by Behavioral Physiology Institute, Boulder, Colorado USA