For yoga lovers, one of the best postures is the so-called sirsasana , similar to doing a handstand, but resting the head directly on the ground. A recent study in which the gray mass of yoga instructors were analyzed with brain scans showed that they undergo less degenerative changes in the brain as they age than the rest of the population.
Many attribute it to the regular practice of this position and its ability to oxygenate our thinking organ. In addition, practitioners claim that standing upside down for a couple of minutes each day calms stress and improves digestion due to its action on the pituitary gland, although there is no scientific data to corroborate this.
What is proven is that, when we place ourselves upside down, our heart rate increases, possibly due to the release of norepinephrine, which has a vasoconstrictor effect on the blood vessels and a stimulating effect on the heart. Simultaneously, the activation of the sympathetic nervous system causes us to sweat more.
Blood pressure at the neck rises, while at the back of the tibia and the foot it drops dramatically. In addition, many of the vessels that supply the brain dilate more than usual, which increases the flow of blood to certain areas.
However, staying upside down for too long carries serious risks, as increased blood pressure can lead to edema or fluid accumulation, leading to reduced blood flow and ultimately brain death.
Image: German breakdance group Dancefloor Destruction Crew poses on the Great Wall of China.
