Manipulating the perception of time affects voluntary breath-holding duration.

In this study, we examined how time perception, a psychological factor, impacts the physiological response to prolonged, voluntary breath holding. Participants (n = 26) held their breath while watching a distorted timer that made it appear as though time was moving up to 40% faster or slower than real time. We monitored total breath-holding duration under different time manipulation conditions as well as the onset of involuntary breathing movements.