Breath audiobook cover - The New Science of a Lost Art

Breath

The New Science of a Lost Art

James Nestor

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Health & NutritionScience

If You're Curious About These Questions...

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Breath
Nasal vs. Mouth Breathing+
Evolution & Anatomy+
Mechanics of Breathing+
Facial Structure & Orthodontics+
Extreme Breathing Techniques+
Ancient Wisdom+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
What was the result of the 1970s experiment where rhesus monkeys had their nostrils temporarily plugged?
  • A. Their lung capacity permanently decreased by half.
  • B. Their dental arches narrowed and their teeth grew crooked.
  • C. They developed severe, chronic emphysema.
  • D. Their vocal cords descended lower into their throats.
Question 2 of 9
According to the book, what relatively recent change in human history caused a massive rise in orthodontic and breathing problems?
  • A. The descent of the larynx to accommodate speech.
  • B. The transition from nomadic hunting to settled agriculture.
  • C. The introduction of softer, processed foods that require less chewing.
  • D. The widespread increase in airborne pollutants during the Industrial Revolution.
Question 3 of 9
How did choir director Carl Stough help hospital patients suffering from emphysema?
  • A. He trained them to inhale more deeply to maximize oxygen intake.
  • B. He taught them to breathe rapidly to increase their heart rate and circulation.
  • C. He encouraged them to fully and properly exhale using their diaphragms.
  • D. He instructed them to breathe exclusively through their mouths during physical therapy.
Question 4 of 9
Why is carbon dioxide described as 'a lot more than a waste product' in the context of respiration?
  • A. It plays a crucial role in causing oxygen to separate from blood cells and dilates blood vessels.
  • B. It acts as a primary energy source for the brain during deep meditation.
  • C. It forces the autonomic nervous system to lower the body's core temperature.
  • D. It directly stimulates the creation of stem cells in the respiratory tract.
Question 5 of 9
Based on studies of various spiritual practices like the Catholic rosary and Jainist chants, what is the ideal breathing rhythm?
  • A. 3 seconds in, 8 seconds out
  • B. 5.5 seconds in, 5.5 seconds out
  • C. 8 seconds in, 4 seconds out
  • D. 10 seconds in, 10 seconds out
Question 6 of 9
According to dentist John Mew, what is the simplest way to maintain good 'oral posture' and help open up airways?
  • A. Keeping the mouth slightly open with the tongue resting on the bottom teeth.
  • B. Holding the lips together, teeth touching slightly, with the tongue on the roof of the mouth.
  • C. Chewing tough foods for at least two hours every day to strengthen jaw muscles.
  • D. Pushing the lower jaw forward while breathing deeply through the nose.
Question 7 of 9
How do extreme breathing techniques like Tummo allow practitioners to achieve feats like controlling their body temperature?
  • A. By slowing the heart rate to a near-stop, placing the body in a state of hibernation.
  • B. By using heavy, aggressive breathing to force the body into a state of stress, hacking the autonomic nervous system.
  • C. By gently massaging the diaphragm to release trapped carbon dioxide in the lower lungs.
  • D. By breathing exclusively through one nostril to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
Question 8 of 9
What is the immediate, initial effect of neurologist Justin Feinstein's 'carbon dioxide therapy' (exposing patients to a high dose of CO2)?
  • A. A state of profound, instant calmness and sleepiness.
  • B. Vivid, transcendent hallucinations of the passage of time.
  • C. Horrific panic attacks caused by shocked chemoreceptors.
  • D. A sudden, dangerous drop in blood pressure and heart rate.
Question 9 of 9
According to the book, what is a surprising fact about the Yoga Sutras, the earliest texts discussing yoga?
  • A. They strongly warn against the dangers of nasal breathing.
  • B. They contain almost no mention of physical movement, focusing instead on staying still and breathing.
  • C. They advocate for constant, heavy mouth breathing to build up physical endurance.
  • D. They were originally written as a medical guide for curing respiratory diseases.

Breath — Full Chapter Overview

Breath Summary & Overview

Breath (2020) is the fascinating and unexpected story of the power of breathing. Western science has overlooked the amazing effects that different methods of breathing can have on our health.

Who Should Listen to Breath?

  • Fans of popular science
  • People looking for simple ways to improve their health
  • Anyone keen to learn more about something we do unconsciously.

About the Author: James Nestor

James Nestor is a journalist based in San Francisco. He has written for publications including Scientific American, Outside Magazine, and the New York Times, and wrote the book Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves.

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