Peat Archive

Respiration in Ray Peat's framework refers not just to breathing but to the entire process of cellular oxygen utilization — the mitochondrial electron transport chain that converts food energy into ATP. He followed the lineage of Albert Szent-Györgyi and Otto Warburg in viewing respiratory efficiency as the fundamental measure of biological health. When cells respire efficiently, they produce CO2 and water; when respiration fails, they shift to glycolysis, producing lactic acid.

Peat emphasized that breathing patterns matter — hyperventilation reduces CO2 levels, paradoxically reducing oxygen delivery to tissues (Bohr effect). He recommended calm, relaxed breathing and addressing the metabolic factors that drive hyperventilation (low CO2, anxiety, metabolic acidosis).