Samozdrav: Review of the TFI Samozdrav Breathing Device

Smiling physicians The TFI Samozdrav (also known as Cosmic Breath or Cosmic Health) is another Russian breathing device that has been popular in Russia for about a decade for treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). It was patented in Russia in 2000 (see the reference below). The authors of the invention are Academician Nikolai Alexandrovich Agadzhanjan, Professor, Former Head of the Department of Normal Physiology (Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow, Russia), Yury Nikolaevich Mishustin, and Sergey Fedorovich Levkin.

Samozdrav - Cosmic Breath - Cosmic Health (Breathing Device) Academician Nikolai Agadzhanjan worked for Soviet Cosmos (Outer Space Research) and wrote a book titled, "Function of the human organism in conditions of hypoxia and hypercapnia" (in Russian). He was aware of Dr. Buteyko's discoveries. Hence, as was the case with the Frolov breathing device, the Samozdrav was inspired by the legendary Buteyko breathing method.

Due to purely historical reasons, heart disease and hypertension became the main applications for this respiratory device. The Samozdrav breathing device has a similar physiological effect as the Buteyko breathing technique and the Frolov breathing device: intermittent hypercapnic hypoxic training.

Whatever breathing methods, techniques, and exercises we use, their effects depend on permanent changes in our automatic or unconscious breathing patterns and improved body oxygen test results (see test instructions below).

Hence, if one uses the Samozrdav for health improvement or sports performance, it is smart to consider one's lifestyle factors based on Dr. Buteyko's discoveries. Otherwise, lack of nutrients, or insufficient amount of physical exercise (with nose breathing only), or supine sleep, or mouth breathing can undermine or halt any progress in breathing retraining. More info about the right lifestyle for higher body oxygen levels can be found here: Learn the Buteyko Method.

How does the Samozdrav work?

CO2 model above ocean The creators and promoters of the Samozdrav breathing device provide advanced ideas related to effects of CO2 on blood vessels (vasodilation) and, hence, improved oxygen transport to all vital organs. Additional effects of CO2 are listed below.

Diaphragmatic breathing during breathing sessions is an additional factor that improves blood oxygenation since most people are chest breathers. A large amplitude of respiratory movements is an excellent massage of the abdominal organs and the lymphatic nodes located beneath the diaphragm.

People with hypertension (high blood pressure) In comparison with the Frolov breathing device training, the creators of the Samozdrav suggest 4 stages of learning for people with high blood pressure or hypertension and other health problems. For Level 1, first breathing sessions are short (e.g., 5-10 min depending on the health state of the student). Later, during more advanced levels of learning, more resistance is created by limiting air flow and by the application of an additional container (e.g., a large 1 Liter glass jar or a third large plastic container). This makes breathwork even more challenging, and higher CO2/body oxygen levels are achieved. However, it is also possible to use an additional or larger outer container for the Frolov breathing device or the Amazing DIY breathing device with the similar effects.

Another difference (in comparison with the Frolov device) is that the Samozdrav comes with a special bag to measure minute ventilation at rest (in Liters/min) and calculate approximate alveolar CO2 content. This is an additional advanced tool to evaluate your breathing.

The Samozdrav can dramatically improve one's health (see Buteyko Table of Health Zones and Effects of Breathing Retraining). The effects of the program can be greatly amplified with right lifestyle changes.

References (Russian patent of the TFI Samozdrav Breathing Device)
The Device for Creation of Bioactive Respiratory Mixture from Exhaled and Normal Air, Russian Patent No. 2177334, Application No. 2000125042/14 from October 3, 2000.

Warning. There are numerous restrictions and contraindications for some health problems (anxiety, diabetes, hypertension, GI problems, and so on) in relation to specific breathing exercises. In addition, pregnant women, people with organ transplants, and some other groups of people should follow special guidelines in relation to their general breathing retraining progress. Finally, there are important preliminary requirements that make breath work safe and more effective (empty stomach, good thermoregulation, and so forth). All these factors can be found in the Learning Section of this website.

Reference Web Pages: Breathing norms, Medical Graphs and Tables about Breathing Rates (Minute Ventilation) and Body Oxygen in Healthy, Normal and Sick People
Breathing norms Parameters, graph, and description of the normal breathing pattern
6 breathing myths 6 myths about breathing and body oxygenation (prevalence: over 90%)
Hyperventilation Definitions of hyperventilation: their advantages and weak points
Hyperventilation Syndrome in the Sick. Table 1. Western scientific evidence about prevalence of CHV (chronic hyperventilation) in patients with various chronic conditions (34 medical studies)
Normal Minute Ventilation in Healthy Subjects: Easy and Light Breathing (14 Studies)
Hyperventilation Prevalence Present in Over 90% of Normal People (24 medical publications)
HV and hypoxia How and why deep breathing reduces oxygenation of cells and tissues of all vital organs
Body oxygen test How to measure your own breathing and body oxygenation (a simple DIY test)
Body oxygen in healthy Table 4. CP (body oxygen level) in healthy people (27 medical studies)
Body oxygen in sick Table 5. CP (body oxygen level) in sick people (14 medical studies)
Buteyko Table of Health Zones with clinical description of most common zones
Morning HV Morning hyperventilation effect or how and why critically ill people are most likely to die during early morning hours

References: CO2 Effects Web Pages
Vasodilation: CO2 expands arteries and arterioles facilitating perfusion (or blood supply) to all vital organs
The Bohr effect How and why oxygen is released by red blood cells in tissues
Cell Oxygen Levels and oxygen transport are controlled by alveolar CO2 and breathing
Oxygen Transport depends on breathing and these two effects (Vasoconstriction-Vasodilation and the Bohr effect) are parts of two diagrams that summarize influences of hypocapnia (low CO2 content in the blood and cells) on circulation and O2 delivery
Free Radical Generation takes place due to anaerobic cell respiration caused by cell hypoxia. Hence, antioxidant defenses of the human body are also regulated by CO2 and breathing
Inflammatory Response is controlled by breathing since hypoxia leads to or intensifies chronic inflammation through over-expression of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1, while normal breathing reduces these processes
Nerve stabilization takes place due to calmative or sedative effects of carbon dioxide in neurons or nerve cells
Muscle relaxation or relaxation of muscle cells is normal at high CO2, while hypocapnia causes muscular tension, poor posture and, sometimes, aggression and violence
Brochodilation - dilation of airways (bronchi and bronchioles) by carbon dioxide, and their constriction due to hypocapnia
Blood pH regulation and regulation of other bodily fluids
CO2: Lung Damage Healer: Elevated carbon dioxide prevents injury and promotes healing of lung tissues
CO2: Skin and Tissue Healer
Synthesis of Glutamine in the Brain, CO2 fixation, and other chemical reactions
CO2 myth "CO2 is a toxic waste gas" myth
Breathing control How is our breathing regulated? Why hypocapnia makes breathing uneven and erratic

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