
10/04/2023
🐝 Nasal breathing, as opposed to mouth breathing has the advantage of allowing more oxygen to get to active tissues. Nose breathing releases nitric oxide which is necessary to increase carbon dioxide in the blood, which in turn is how oxygen is released.
Every cell in your body uses oxygen, did you know there's ways to effectively distribute it?
Your paranasal sinuses are major producers of nitric oxide (NO). Here it mixes with air to increase blood flow in the lungs, and distribute oxygen far more efficiently.
In humans, nitric oxide is also generated within the blood vessels and regulates blood pressure, prevents the formation of clots and kills viruses.
Diseases associated with low nitric oxide: high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, digestive tract issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, erectile dysfunction, and bladder issues.
The sinuses communicate with the nasal cavity through ostia, and the rate of gas exchange between these cavities is dependent, for example, on the size of the ostia.
In a two-compartment model of the nose and sinus, oscillating airflow causes a dramatic increase in gas exchange between the cavities.
Humming has been applied therapeutically for the treatment of chronic sinusitis. A case study of a patient who had been unable to nose breathe due to chronic sinusitis for a month was able to achieve a clear nose and breathe easily through his nose after 4 days of intensive humming.
A small 10 person study looked at nasal NO was measured during humming and quiet single-breath exhalations at a fixed flow rate. NO increased 15-fold during humming compared with quiet exhalation.
Humming exercises have been used in yoga for many thousands of years. To really experience the vibration of humming through the sinuses you can try this bee breath exercise while blocking the ears.
1. Sit up straight in a quiet, well ventilated corner with your eyes closed.
2. Place your index fingers on your ears. There is a cartilage between your cheek and ear. Place your index fingers on the cartilage
3. Take a deep breath in and as you breathe out, gently press the cartilage. Now make a loud humming sound like a bee
4. You can make a low-pitched sound but it is a good idea to try a high-pitched sound for more intense results.
5. Breathe in again and continue the same pattern 3-4 times.
How did this exercise feel for you?