A new study suggests that people’s unique breathing patterns could be used to diagnose health issues with nearly 97% accuracy. Scientists developed a wearable device that tracks nasal airflow and found that each person’s breathing pattern is distinct, like a fingerprint.
The research team identified individuals based on their breathing patterns with 96.8% accuracy, and different patterns corresponded to physical and mental traits such as body mass index, sleep-wake cycle, and depression and anxiety. The study also discovered that pauses between breaths were a powerful tool in predicting health conditions.
The nose controls the brain due to its evolution as the oldest sensory system in mammals, scientists theorize. Changes in breathing patterns may even affect cognitive performance, stress regulation, and mood. While more research is needed, the findings are promising for developing breath analysis as a diagnostic tool. The study’s authors plan to test their device and analysis method on larger groups to confirm its accuracy.
The study raises questions about whether changing breath patterns can change what’s going on in the brain. Can we teach people to breathe in ways that may alleviate depression or anxiety? Further research is needed to explore this potential, but for now, the unique link between breathing patterns and health conditions is an exciting discovery.
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/breath-pattern-unique-fingerprint-health-mood