A groundbreaking study published in Current Biology has discovered a unique “fingerprint” in nasal breathing patterns that can be used to identify individuals with nearly 97% accuracy. The research, conducted by the Weizmann Institute of Science, found that these patterns also reflect physical and mental health traits.
Researchers developed a lightweight wearable device to track nasal airflow continuously for 24 hours, revealing intricate connections between brain activity, breathing, and emotions. The study’s findings suggest that long-term monitoring of nasal airflow could be used as a window into overall well-being.
The researchers identified correlations between breathing patterns and factors such as BMI, anxiety levels, sleep cycles, and behavioral tendencies. For instance, individuals with higher anxiety scores had shorter inhales and more variability in breath pauses during sleep.
While the device still faces practical challenges, the study’s authors are cautiously optimistic about its potential therapeutic applications. They plan to investigate whether people can mimic healthy breathing patterns to improve their mental health.
This innovative research opens a new frontier for understanding the intricate relationships between our breathing patterns, brain activity, and emotions.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/breathing-mental-health-identity-29266