A group of researchers established the HeartMath Institute in 1991 to explore the connections between the heart, emotions, and overall well-being. The institute’s foundation was built on exploring ‘heart-focused practices’ designed to access intuitive guidance. The HeartMath research revealed the heart is not merely a pump, but an intelligent organ with its own complex nervous system.
The heart has its own independent nervous system, sometimes referred to as the ‘brain in the heart,’ which allows it to make decisions and process information autonomously. It starts beating before the brain develops in the fetus, indicating a fundamental role in life’s processes. The heart and brain are in constant communication, with the heart sending signals to the brain and vice versa.
This ‘heart brain’ contains approximately 40,000 neurons that can sense, feel, learn, and remember independently from the cranial brain. The evidence suggests that the heart actually communicates with the brain in four significant ways: Neurologically (through the transmission of nerve impulses), Biochemically (via hormones and neurotransmitters), Biophysically (through pressure waves), and Energetically (through electromagnetic field interactions).
This multi-level communication network forms the foundation for what we might call “heart intelligence”, the heart’s capacity to guide our decision-making and emotional responses. To study how the heart guides decision-making, the HeartMath researchers conducted comprehensive studies looking at heart rate patterns, brain activity, respiration, and more to identify which measurements most accurately reflected emotional changes.
The heart’s electrical activity (HRV – heart rate variability) is a window into our emotional and mental state. Heartmath research suggests that aligning the heart’s rhythm with our thoughts and feelings can lead to a state of coherence, which promotes well-being and resilience. The heart also emits electromagnetic energy that can be perceived by others, suggesting a possible connection between heart rhythms and shared emotional experiences. The use of interventions utilizing the HeartMath self-regulation techniques and HRV coherence feedback technology to reduce stress has significantly improved key markers of health and wellness.
Heart Intelligence provides techniques for accessing the heart’s guidance, such as mindfulness practices and focusing on positive emotions. These practices can help individuals become more aware of their emotions, connect with their intuition, and make choices that align with their values. Several studies have shown significantly lowered blood pressure (BP) and stress measures. Employees with a diagnosis of hypertension who were enrolled in a workplace-based risk-reduction program exhibited significant reductions in blood pressure relative to the control group after using HeartMath tools for three months. Participants also experienced significant reductions in distress and depression, concurrent with improvements in work performance-related parameters following the intervention.
The heart communicates a steady stream of intuitive information to the mind and brain. In many cases, we only perceive a small percentage of intuitive information or choose to override the signals because they do not match our more egocentric desires. The concept of Heart Intelligence is gaining traction in various fields, including leadership, health, and personal development.
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heartmath.org, The HeartMath Institute is a non-profit research and education organization that focuses on promoting healthcare through research and education in personal, social, and global coherence. They offer various programs and resources related to heart coherence, stress management, and emotional well-being.
