Plain English with Derek Thompson Breathing Is Easy. But We’re Doing It Wrong.
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Jun 14, 2024 
James Nestor, author of 'Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art,' dives into the fascinating science of breathing. He discusses how human evolution has led to poor breathing habits and the dangers of mouth breathing. Nestor reveals the surprising benefits of nasal breathing and shares techniques to enhance sleep quality, including mouth taping. He explores how proper breathing patterns can reduce anxiety and stress, offering listeners effective methods to improve their health and well-being.
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Shrinking Faces
- The human face has shrunk over recent centuries, observable in skull collections like the Morton Collection.
- This shrinkage is linked to dietary changes and brain growth, impacting breathing.
Evolution of Faces
- Smaller faces are linked to brain growth and softer foods from cooking.
- This change happened gradually, allowing adaptation, unlike the rapid changes of industrialization.
Modern Breathing Problems
- Modern humans are the most plugged-up species due to rapid changes in food processing.
- This has led to widespread deformities in mouths and noses, impacting breathing.
