(631) 498-5632 Contact Us

Contact Us

Thank you very much for contacting Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

To best serve your individual needs, please choose from the following options:

New Patient Existing Patient Refer a Patient

Sometimes you just have to take a step back and smell the roses—literally. If you’re looking to strengthen your memories, the key may be breathing more through your nose.

According to new research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the way we choose to breathe while learning may affect how our memories get stored and reinforced in the brain. It seems that the more you breathe through your nose, the better you might be at recalling those memories (especially scent memories) later on.

In the study, participants were asked to learn 12 different smells on two separate occasions. Afterwards, they were asked to either breathe through their noses or their mouths for the duration of an hour.

Sound pretty uneventful so far?

Well, after this hour, the researchers presented participants with those 12 smells along with a series of new smells, and participants were asked to discern whether each smell was from earlier, or if it was new. Those who spent an hour breathing through their noses were better able to differentiate between learned smells and new smells than those who spent the interim breathing through their mouths.

“Our study shows that we remember smells better if we breathe through the nose when the memory is being consolidated — the process that takes place between learning and memory retrieval,” said Artin Arshamian, researcher at the Karolinska Institutet, where the study took place.

What does this mean for real life?

Well, we’ve long known that the way we breathe affects how we feel. Deep, mindful breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system and promotes a state of calm and wellbeing throughout the entire body. Short, shallow breaths spike cortisol levels and get the body into fight or flight mode. But could mindful breathing through the nose be the key to making new facts and new memories stick better?

Our olfactory bulbs (where smells are processed) actually have receptors that detect not just smells, but variations in airflow. Our noses are for more than just smelling. While science has just begun proving how important breathing through the nose is to our wellness, mediation has been living proof of this for millennia.

It should come as no surprise that this ancient and distinctively human breathing technique comes with such profound benefits. Our memories are powerful, and our noses are a powerful way not just to access them, but to create them in the first place.

SOURCE: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/want-to-strengthen-a-memory-do-this.html


Back to Blog

Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

Dear Patients:

Our patients, employees and family are our top priority at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

We ask you to not visit any of our locations if you have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing and possible shortness of breath.

Please cancel your appointment and re-schedule once you are feeling better and are no longer suffering with symptoms.

Only non-symptomatic patients will be seen. No exceptions.

Accompanying family members – including children – are asked to remain in the waiting area and will not be allowed to enter the exam rooms.

During this time of high concern regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are taking extra precautions to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and cleanliness. Please be advised that we are carefully following recommendations from both the CDC and WHO and are here to help guide you through this time if needed.

Some steps we are taking to keeping safe:

  1. We know how important cleanliness is and always maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. To further offer you peace of mind, we have increased the frequency of the cleaning of our office.
  2. Rest assured that hand washing is strictly followed. Hand sanitizer is available to all staff and patients.
  3. Additionally, if you have recently traveled to a country with high rates of the coronavirus or have been on a cruise, please reschedule your visit for at least 14 days from your return date. We will gladly accommodate your needs to reschedule. At that time, a telehealth interface can be arranged if necessary.

Find up-to-date and accurate information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and feel free to reach out with questions.

- Your team at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

Schedule a Consultation

Contact Us

Contact Us

Thank you very much for contacting Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

To best serve your individual needs, please choose from the following options:

New Patient Existing Patient Refer a Patient

To learn more about Long Island Spine Specialists – and to discover how we can relieve your pain and help you find an improved quality of life – please contact our office today and schedule a consultation.

Contact us media
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (631) 498-5632.
Contact Us