Breathing is a simple yet complex process controlled by our brain network. A new study published in Current Biology suggests that humans have unique nasal breathing patterns, almost like fingerprints.
According to neurobiologist Noam Sobel, the idea of individual breathing patterns isn’t new. “Our brains are unique, and since so much of the brain is involved in respiration, we hypothesize that respiration would also be unique,” he says.
To test this theory, researchers developed a device resembling an oxygen tube to measure nasal airflow patterns over 24 hours. Analyzing data from 100 participants showed distinct breathing patterns for each individual.
Interestingly, these patterns can predict physical and mental health measures like sleep, anxiety, and depression. This discovery raises the question: Can we change our breathing habits to improve or worsen health?
Sobel notes that this insight could lead to a more accurate understanding of the relationship between breathing and mental health. “The way it’s not ‘you breathe this way because you’re depressed’ but rather ‘you’re depressed because you breathe this way,'” he says.
While further research is needed, the study encourages us to take a moment to appreciate the complexities of our body’s functions and the potential for new insights into human health.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/13/1254121701/nasal-nose-breathing-smell-brain-anxiety-depression