what does huberman say about shifting your gaze upwards
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Andrew Huberman emphasizes the crucial role that eye position plays in regulating our level of alertness. Here are some key points he mentions:
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Eye Movement and Alertness: Looking up can increase alertness, while looking down tends to decrease it, promoting calmness and even sleepiness. This is due to the neural pathways in the brainstem that control eye movements and their association with either alert or relaxed states 1 2.
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Workspace Optimization: For maintaining alertness during tasks, Huberman suggests positioning screens or work materials at eye level or slightly higher. This helps to sustain a heightened state of alertness, as opposed to looking down, which can decrease alertness and lead to sleepiness 3.
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Hypnosis and Alertness: Huberman notes that during hypnosis, being able to maintain an upward gaze while closing the eyes indicates a high level of hypnotizability, as it reflects a state of alert relaxation. This is tied to how brainstem neurons manage both alertness and the relaxation associated with eye movements 4 2.
These insights underline the profound impact that simple shifts in gaze direction can have on our neurological states and daily functioning.
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does panormaic vision improve reaction times?
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Yes, Andrew Huberman discusses how panoramic vision can enhance reaction times. When we switch from a narrow, focused view to a broader, panoramic vision, our brain processes information differently. This broader view allows our visual system to capture and process more data, which significantly improves reaction times. For example, when looking at a broad field of view, reaction times can be up to four times faster than when using a narrow, focused view 1 2.
Huberman also explains that moving into a panoramic vision state helps our visual system sense motion more quickly. This is especially useful in activities like running to catch a ball or driving, where being aware of the broader environment is crucial 1 2.
RELATED QUESTIONSI thought panoramic vision decreased excitiabilty?
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You're correct. Panoramic vision, or broadening our field of view, has been noted to decrease excitability and induce a state of relaxation. When we shift to panoramic vision, our brain reduces the attentional and stress mechanisms that drive us towards a heightened alert state 1.
Andrew Huberman discusses that when we use panoramic vision, it engages neurons that help relax the nervous system, which lowers stress and anxiety levels. This broader view triggers a relaxation response and can be particularly soothing in anxiety-inducing environments 2 3.
Therefore, while panoramic vision enhances reaction times in dynamic activities by improving motion detection, it is also associated with a decrease in excitability and stress, providing a calming effect on the nervous system 4 5.
RELATED QUESTIONShow can panaromaic vision decrease excitability while increasing reaction time?
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The interplay between decreasing excitability and increasing reaction time with panoramic vision can be understood through the distinct neuronal pathways involved and how they're engaged.
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Decreasing Excitability: When we shift to panoramic vision, it triggers a relaxation response by reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This state of calmness is linked to lower levels of norepinephrine, which tones down the body's alertness mechanisms. As explains, this process helps manage stress and promotes a sense of relaxation since the autonomic balance shifts towards the parasympathetic state 1 2.
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Increasing Reaction Time: Despite the reduced excitability, panoramic vision enhances certain aspects of alertness by activating the magnocellular pathway, which processes visual information quickly and efficiently. These thicker neuronal pathways transmit signals faster, allowing for quicker detection of motion and improved peripheral awareness. This heightened state of broad awareness optimizes reaction time, crucial for activities requiring rapid response. As mentioned by , reaction times in this mode are significantly faster, approximately four times quicker than in a narrowly focused state 3 4.
To put it simply, while panoramic vision alleviates stress and decreases overall excitability by engaging relaxation pathways, it simultaneously enhances reaction times by utilizing fast-transmitting neural pathways that manage extensive visual fields.
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