I have been able to do this for as long as I remember, but only recently discovered that this ability is unusual. I thought everyone was able to do it! This ability means I can block off my nose from bad smells, or swim upside down without holding my nose or breathing out. When I do it, I can talk as if I have a cold.
I recently read about a synchronised swimmer who didn't need nose plugs because she had this same ability. It was from this article that I realised this is unusual. The article said that it's something to do with a nose valve reflex that most people lose as infants. Is that right?
As an aside, I also have a highly acute sense of smell. Could this be related to this ability?
Does anyone know about this ability? Now that I know it's unusual I'm intrigued as to how I can do it.
2007-03-19 12:13:48 · 4 answers · asked by Greg A 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
It's a universal thing. The nasal passages are a lot narrower than the mouth. When you open your mouth to breathe your body will naturally take the path of least resistance and use this path exclusively.
2007-03-19 12:53:04 · answer #1 · answered by Robert B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Um, I don't know anyone who can't breathe through their mouth and have their nose closed off so they can't smell and so that air doesn't go through it. We can all do that, especially if we enter a stinky public restroom or some other gross smelling place. In fact, some people get into a bad habit of mouth breathing.
When I block off air flow through my nose and breathe through my mouth, I sound like I have a cold too. That's what most people in cold medication commercials do.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding your unique ability??
2007-03-19 12:21:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's also something I can do. My mother can as well, but most of my sisters, my father can not. Same goes for my husbands family, none of them can do it either. So it is not something everyone can do, but a lot can.
Unfortunately I also have no idea why it's possible. I have a theory that it might be something to do with an extra long palate, but I have nothing to back it up with yet.
2015-03-31 04:08:35 · answer #3 · answered by Dannie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
uhm yea i can do that too. i dont know what you mean...i can breathe through my mouth and not smell anything whenever i want...have been since i was born and as far as i know-everyone can do that...
i can swim without holding my nose too. most people can....
0.o
2007-03-19 12:24:09 · answer #4 · answered by imcold07 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋