Ep. 208 The Underestimated Power of Breathing

I have the honor of connecting with James Nestor today! James is a science journalist and author of the book Breath. Breath was one of my favorite books to read in 2021! It was awarded the prize for Best General Nonfiction Book of 2020 by the American Society of Journalists and Authors and shortlisted for the Royal Society Best Science book of 2020. It explores the million-year-long history of how humans have lost the ability to breathe properly and why we suffer from issues like snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, autoimmune disease, and allergies.

James traveled the world in his effort to figure out what went wrong and how to fix our ability to breathe properly. He did not discover the answers in pulmonology labs but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of Sao Paulo.

In this episode, James and I dive into how humans have become poor breathers and how crooked teeth contribute to poor breathing. We discuss the nasal anatomy and the impact it has on poor breathing. We talk about alternate nostril breathing, the vagus nerve, the anatomical changes that occur with aging, how overeaters become over-breathers, chewing, and how our palates and facial bones have evolved and changed. We also get into James’s experience in the Paris catacombs and the impact of breathwork on the autonomic nervous system. 

I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• How have the structural changes in our bodies impacted our quality of breathing?
• The importance of having a proper deep sleep. 
• The association between obligate mouth breathing and getting up at night to urinate.
• James talks about nasal erections and the effects of alternate nostril breathing on the body.
• James talks about the vagus nerve and explains the concept of vagal tone.
• Why do overeaters tend to become over-breathers?
• Poor breathing can lead to poor sleep quality, which can cause metabolic imbalance.
• What can you do to proactively impact the stimulation of facial bone remodeling if your mouth is too small or you have crooked teeth?
• James talks about his experience of crawling around in the Paris catacombs.
• What has been driving the changes in the anatomy of our faces?
• The importance of chewing stress.
• Chewing can play a role in how we look, how we breathe, and how our brain functions. 
• James explains the significance of the empty nose syndrome.
• How proper breathing impacts the body and the benefits of breathing techniques.
• James talks about carbon dioxide therapy.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

• Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn
• Check out Cynthia’s website 

Connect with James Nestor 

• On his website    
• On Instagram