Due to nitric oxide, nasal breathing redistributes blood flow from the bottom to the top of the lungs and from the back to the front. This suggests that nasal nitric oxide may have been an evolutionary adaption to counteract gravity and allow us to walk upright.

Mantra-based mindfulness reduces metabolism independently of breathing rate, whereas slow breathing increases heart rate variability independently of meditation. Combining them into one practice may provide the best of both techniques.

Slow breathing reduces levels of Ab, a key Alzheimer’s biomarker, in younger and older adults, suggesting that it may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and promote healthy brain aging.