The Rich Roll Podcast The New Science Of Breath: James Nestor On Why Most People Are Breathing Wrong
101 snips
Feb 2, 2026 
James Nestor, science journalist and author of Breath, explores why modern humans often breathe poorly and how nasal vs mouth breathing changes health. He covers jaw development, CO2’s role in oxygen delivery, sleep-disordered breathing links to ADHD, breath training for athletes, and practical nasal-diaphragmatic techniques you can try right away.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Modern Breathing Dysfunction Is Cultural
- Modern humans breathe dysfunctionally at high rates due to structural and lifestyle changes.
- Industrialization shrank mouths and altered breathing mechanics, worsening health outcomes.
Jaw Size Links To Airway Health
- Crooked teeth and small jaws indicate narrowed airways that impair nasal breathing.
- Orthodontic extraction often reduces jaw size further instead of expanding the airway.
Become An Obligate Nasal Breather
- Train to be an obligate nasal breather during rest and daytime activities.
- Start with short taped practice sessions and gradually increase duration to adapt.
