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The Science
Heart Intelligence
The heart is commonly thought of as the muscle pumping the blood through our body. However, scientists in the field of neurocardiology have discovered that there is more to the heart than what has been the common thought of Western science for the past centuries. The heart, in fact, possesses its own intrinsic cardiac nervous system (the "heart brain" - term coined by neurophysiologist J. Andrew Armour, M.D., Ph.D in 1991), consisting in about 40,000 neurons that can independently sense, feel, learn and remember, a truly independent intelligent system. Besides possessing its own "brain" the heart is also a hormonal gland secreting hormones that affect both the body and the brain and it also generates the most powerful electromagnetic field in our body, extending 3 feet from our body.
Heart Rate Variability
In a healthy heart, there is a time difference (in milliseconds) between individual heart beats and this occurs even in a state of rest. This natural frequency variability between heart beats is called "heart rate variability" (HRV) and reflects the functioning and balance of the autonomic nervous system. Scientists and physicians consider HRV to be an important indicator of health, fitness, biological age but also a marker of physiological resilience, behavioral flexibility and adaptability.
Image taken from HeartMath.com
The Heart–Brain Connection
Brain and heart have a dual-communication system, however, the heart sends more signals to the brain that the brain does to the heart. Research conducted by the HeartMath Institute has shown that heart rhythm patterns have an effect on both cognition and emotions. More specifically, negative emotions produce erratic heart rhythm patterns which inhibit higher cognitive functions while positive emotions produce smooth heart rhythms which facilitate cognitive functions.
Heart Rhythm and Emotions
Heart rhythm patterns reflect the activity of the Autonomic Nervous System.
Research at the HeartMath Institute has shown that one of the most powerful factors affecting the heart's rhythms are emotional states. In particular, negative emotions, such as frustration, anger or anxiety generate an erratic rhythm while positive emotions, such as appreciation or gratitude generate a harmonious sinus wave pattern.
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Figures: HRV patterns in different emotional states
Images taken from HeartMath.com
The Coherent State
Harmonious heart rhythm patterns plotted over time are reflected in a smooth, stable and harmonious wave. This is known as a coherent heart rhythm.
This state of cardiac (or physiological) coherence is associated with an increased heart/brain synchronization and entrainment between diverse physiological systems. When the physiological coherence mode is driven by a positive emotion, HeartMath calls it psychophysiological coherence. The techniques devised by HeartMath are aimed at generating sustained positive emotions that activate a state of psychophysiological coherence in which - as research shows - our body and brain work better, we feel better and perform better.
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Figure: Entrainment during practice of coherence-inducing technique
Image taken from HeartMath.com
Coherence is not Relaxation
Research by HeartMath indicates that the state of coherence is both psychologically and physiologically distinct from the state of relaxation. Relaxation entails an overall reduction in autonomic outflow (resulting in lower HRV) and a shift towards increased parasympathetic activity. Coherence is also associated with a relative increase in parasympathetic activity but is physiologically distinct from relaxation in that the system oscillates at its natural resonant frequency and there is increased harmony and synchronization in nervous system and heart–brain dynamics. This important difference between the two states is reflected most clearly in their respective HRV power spectra (see figure). Furthermore, coherence does not necessarily involve a lowering of heart rate, or a change in the amount of HRV, but rather is primarily marked by a change in the heart rhythm pattern.
Figure: HRV power spectrum in a state of relaxation (above) vs. coherence (below)
Image taken from HeartMath.com
HeartMath® Biofeedback Technology
Besides devising techniques that can be practiced in order to induce a state of coherence, HeartMath has created various biofeedback instruments that can be used in order to observe your heart’s changing rhythms in real time. The techniques can be practiced independently of the biofeedback technological tools but many people find it easier to practice them if they can monitor the effects on their smartphone (through the Inner Balance app) or on their computers. One advantage of using the HeartMath technology is that of keeping track of one's progress as well as allowing the device to coach you into your daily practice.
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