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Research & News

Plain-language summaries of new research on HRV, POTS, long COVID and dysautonomia: what the studies actually found, and what it means for you.

Ousa Chea / Unsplash
Austin Spaeth July 7, 2026 Research

What the Latest Research Says About Long COVID & Dysautonomia (2026)

The research increasingly validates what patients have said all along: long COVID dysautonomia is real and measurable. Studies confirm small-fiber neuropathy and objective autonomic dysfunction in a subset of patients, and long COVID and ME/CFS are being recognized as related post-viral illnesses. Treatments remain early and mixed, but the mechanistic picture is getting clearer, and self-tracking maps onto exactly what researchers measure.

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Jessica Lewis thepaintedsquare / Unsplash Food

Jul 3, 2026 · Austin Spaeth

The Mediterranean Diet for Long COVID: What Evidence Shows

Long COVID involves persistent, low-grade inflammation, and the Mediterranean pattern is one of the most anti-inflammatory ways to eat. Here is what the 2025 evidence actually shows, and how to start without overwhelming yourself.

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Sage Friedman / Unsplash HRV

Jun 25, 2026 · Austin Spaeth

Resonant Breathing & HRV Biofeedback: The 6-Breaths-a-Minute Protocol

Slowing your breath to about six breaths a minute is one of the few things that reliably raises HRV in real time. Here is the mechanism, a concrete protocol, and honest caveats for sensitive nervous systems.

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Jay Mullings / Unsplash Research

Jun 22, 2026 · Austin Spaeth

Does HRV Biofeedback Work for Long COVID? The Evidence

Slow resonant breathing is one of the gentlest things you can try for long COVID dysautonomia. Here is what the actual studies found, where they fall short, and how to judge whether it is worth your energy.

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National Cancer Institute / Unsplash Long COVID

Jun 13, 2026 · Austin Spaeth

What Causes Long COVID? Microclots, Neuroinflammation & Autonomic Injury

The leading 2026 theories for what drives long COVID overlap rather than compete: persistent inflammation, microclots, small-fiber nerve damage, autoantibodies and autonomic injury. Here is what each one may explain about how you feel.

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Simon Daoudi / Unsplash Research

Jun 8, 2026 · Austin Spaeth

How Accurate Are Consumer HRV Wearables? The Evidence

Chest straps, rings and watches don't measure your nervous system equally. Here is what peer-reviewed validation studies actually show about HRV accuracy, and why consistency matters more than a perfect number.

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Maria Petersson / Unsplash Research

May 28, 2026 · Austin Spaeth

Salt & Fluids for POTS: What's Proven and What Isn't

"Drink more, salt more" is the most repeated advice in POTS. Here is the physiology behind it, what the evidence actually supports, and where the guidance runs ahead of the data.

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