ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Episode 131: Organ Series — Lungs
You breathe roughly 20,000 times per day.
In episode 10 of our Organ Series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy break down the lungs, nasal breathing, mouth breathing, oxygen delivery, CO2 tolerance, nitric oxide, the Bohr effect, diaphragm training, breathwork, humming, HRV, cold exposure, and how breathing can influence stress, sleep, recovery, and performance.
This episode explains the lungs as a delivery truck system. Oxygen is the fuel. Hemoglobin is the truck. But CO2 is the signal that tells the truck when to drop oxygen off at the tissues.
That means CO2 is not just waste. It is a key part of oxygen delivery.
Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy also discuss why nasal breathing matters, how the nose produces nitric oxide, why chronic mouth breathing can affect sleep, dental health, anxiety, oral pH, and facial development, and how training the diaphragm may improve breathing mechanics and athletic performance.
In this episode, we cover:
The lungs as the body’s gas exchange system
Why you breathe around 20,000 times per day
Nasal breathing and nitric oxide production
Mouth breathing and its effects on sleep and oral health
CO2 tolerance and the Bohr effect
Why CO2 helps oxygen release into tissues
Hyperventilation and why it can make you pass out
The diaphragm as the breathing engine
Belly breathing and diaphragmatic control
Resisted diaphragm training
Breathing mechanics for endurance athletes
Nasal strips, mouth tape, and airway support
5.5 breaths per minute for parasympathetic activation
HRV, blood pressure, and slow breathing
CO2 tolerance testing and the BOLT score
Humming and nitric oxide production
Buteyko breathing and box breathing
Rib expansion and intercostal training
Cold exposure as breath-control training
Red flags: shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, sleep apnea, and coughing blood
Key takeaway:
Breathing is not just about getting more oxygen. It is about delivering oxygen efficiently, regulating CO2, supporting nitric oxide, training the diaphragm, improving nervous system control, and helping the body shift between stress and recovery.
Your lungs exchange the gases.
Your diaphragm drives the breath.
Your nose helps filter and optimize the air.
CO2 tells oxygen where to go.
If you can control your breath, you can start to control your physiology.
Follow The Functional Code:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalcode
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCode
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlf
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
