Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

Science journalist James Nestor examines the fundamental yet overlooked function of human breathing in this research-driven exploration. Through personal experiments and scientific studies, he investigates why humans have shifted away from natural breathing patterns and what consequences this change brings. The book traces breathing practices across cultures and time periods, from ancient civilizations to modern scientific laboratories. Nestor conducts experiments on himself and works with researchers at Stanford University to understand the physiological effects of different breathing methods. The narrative connects chronic mouth breathing to various health conditions and presents evidence for the benefits of nasal breathing. Nestor's research spans ten years and includes input from pulmonologists, biochemists, and breathing experts from around the world. At its core, the book suggests that proper breathing techniques could transform human health and wellbeing, presenting breathing as both a lost art and a frontier of medical science.

Readers appreciate the accessible explanation of breathing techniques and their potential health benefits. Many found the historical research and scientific studies compelling, particularly discussions of ancient breathing practices and modern mouth-breathing impacts. Readers liked: - Clear instructions for improving breathing habits - Mix of personal experience and research - Engaging storytelling style - Practical applications for sleep, anxiety, and fitness Readers disliked: - Some scientific claims lack strong evidence - Repetitive content in middle chapters - Oversimplified solutions to complex health issues - Too much focus on author's personal journey Ratings: Goodreads: 4.02/5 (71,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (16,000+ ratings) Common reader feedback: "Life-changing breathing techniques but takes too long to get to the point" - Goodreads reviewer "Great introduction for beginners but lacks depth for medical professionals" - Amazon reviewer "Made me conscious of my breathing habits but overstates some benefits" - Goodreads reviewer

The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown Builds on similar breathing science with techniques for athletes and everyday people to optimize oxygen delivery through specific breath-control methods.

Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker Examines another fundamental biological process through scientific research, connecting sleep patterns to breathing and overall health mechanisms.

The Body by Bill Bryson Maps the human body's systems and functions, including respiratory processes, through historical discoveries and contemporary research.

Deep by James Nestor Explores freediving and the human body's relationship with water through physiological research, connecting to breathing adaptations and capabilities.

The XX Brain by Lisa Mosconi Links breathing patterns and oxygen utilization to brain function and neurological health through research-based evidence and clinical studies.

🫁 During research for the book, Nestor underwent a 10-day experiment where his nose was completely plugged, forcing mouth breathing, resulting in increased blood pressure, sleep apnea, and other health issues. 🧬 Ancient skulls studied for the book reveal that human facial structure has changed dramatically in the past 300 years, with smaller mouths and airways becoming increasingly common. 📚 The book spent 18 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into more than 30 languages since its 2020 publication. 🌬️ The Buteyko Breathing Method, featured prominently in the book, was developed by Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Buteyko in the 1950s after observing thousands of patients' breathing patterns. 🏃 Some Native American runners historically practiced exclusively nasal breathing during long-distance runs, covering up to 200 miles in one session, a technique explored in detail through the book's research.