Abstract

The heart's pivotal role in modulating higher brain activity, particularly in electrical and cognitive processing, underscores the globally significant issue of bidirectional heart-brain communication. Enhanced understanding of this relationship, facilitated by advanced signal analysis and neuroimaging techniques, holds promise for early detection and treatment of pathological changes in heart-brain interactions. This study aims to elucidate the intricate heart-brain relationship, focusing on its implications for cognitive, emotional, and self-regulatory functions. We hypothesized that negative self-talk would reduce Heart Evoked Potential (HEP) amplitudes due to heightened neural processing in higher brain regions. Conversely, we anticipated that Heart-Lock-in (HLI) technique and paced breathing would enhance HEP amplitudes and heart-brain synchronization. Nineteen EEG electrodes, with a reference electrode on the earlobe, and an ECG channel were employed to measure HEP during resting baseline and four conditions: HLI technique, Breathing, Positive thinking, and Negative thinking. Data collection from frontal, temporal, parietal, central, and occipital brain regions was facilitated by a wearable head device. Comparison of Evoked Potentials across various stimuli revealed distinct shifts in psychophysiological functioning, particularly evident in heartbeat Evoked Potentials, indicating improved synchronization, harmony, and efficiency within physiological, cognitive, and emotional systems. Increased electrical activity in brain regions during perceived emotional conditions suggests that Evoked Potentials' amplitudes may be influenced by variations in heart rhythms. Objective measurements revealed peak activity during repolarization, indicating the heart's efficacy in transmitting various signals and information to the brain. These findings underscore the heart's role in modulating brain function and its collaboration with the brain in transmitting signals to the body's cellular system. The study's optimistic implications include monitoring autonomic nervous system dynamics, stress, emotional states, and analyzing heart-brain synchronization in clinical and practical settings.