Scientists have identified a direct nose-brain nerve circuit that shows regular and slow breathing through the nose reduces anxiety.
A new neuroscience study conducted in the USA has discovered a 'nose-brain' nerve circuit that shows breathing through the nose calms anxiety. Experiments on mice revealed that the olfactory neurons in the nasal cavity detect not only odors but also the airflow entering. According to the data obtained, the frequency of air drawn through the nose sends direct signals to the amygdala region, the brain's emotion and stress center, via the olfactory bulb.
The study highlighted that this nerve pathway works bidirectionally, indicating that the frequency and speed of nasal breathing directly determine anxiety levels. It was observed that fast and shallow breathing through the nose triggers anxiety-like behaviors, while slow and deep breathing balances nerve transmission, providing calmness.
Experts emphasized that the findings are still based on animal models and need to be supported by human tests, suggesting that breathing through the nose at half the speed of mouth breathing could offer a natural and effective treatment for controlling anxiety.
