What Is Nitric Oxide
Your nose produces a molecule that opens blood vessels and kills pathogens
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous signaling molecule produced in the paranasal sinuses — the air-filled cavities around your nose. When you breathe through your nose, this NO mixes with inhaled air and enters your lungs. In the lungs, NO acts as a vasodilator — it opens blood vessels, improving blood flow and oxygen exchange. It also has antimicrobial properties, killing bacteria and viruses in the airways.
Nasal NO production was first documented by Lundberg et al. in 1995. The concentrations are significant: nasal NO levels are 6-10 times higher than in the lower airways. Humming (as in bhramari breathing) increases NO release by 15-fold because the vibration enhances gas exchange between the sinuses and the nasal cavity (Weitzberg & Lundberg, 2002).
This is the strongest physiological argument for nasal breathing: mouth breathing bypasses the NO-producing sinuses entirely. Mouth breathers miss out on the vasodilatory, antimicrobial, and oxygen-exchange benefits of nasal NO. For athletes, this translates to reduced oxygen delivery. For everyone, it means compromised first-line immune defense in the airways.
Benefits
- Understand the science behind why specific breathing techniques work
- Choose the right technique based on the underlying mechanism
- Evidence-based knowledge — peer-reviewed research, not wellness hype
- Free guided timer to practice the techniques the science supports
- Build confidence in your breathwork practice through understanding
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does nitric oxide matter for breathwork?
Understanding the underlying science helps you choose the right technique for your goals and trust the process. Nitric Oxide is a core concept that explains why specific breathing patterns produce specific effects.
Do I need to understand the science to benefit from breathing exercises?
No — the techniques work regardless of whether you understand the mechanisms. But understanding the science helps you: (1) choose the right technique for your situation, (2) stick with practice because you know it's not placebo, and (3) explain the benefits to skeptics.
Where can I learn more about the science of breathwork?
Key resources: Breath by James Nestor (accessible overview), The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown (practical applications), and the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience for the latest research. Our free timer lets you practice the techniques the science supports.
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