Automatic body functions such as breathing. Is it just some biological code loop running in the background of our operating system or is each breath still being requested separately by a subconscious bit of your brain?

Question

Automatic body functions such as breathing. Is it just some biological code loop running in the background of our operating system or is each breath still being requested separately by a subconscious bit of your brain?

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Answer 1

Think a good way to think of it is a habit loop that has become autonomous through evolution. Once you consciously think about breathing you interfere with the loop which is why you don’t have to remind yourself to inhale and exhale.
The power of habit by Charles duhigg has an interesting background on those behaviours and why we do them.