What is conch blowing? The ancient ritual that could help improve your sleep
A centuries-old Indian ritual may hold surprising modern health benefits.
New research suggests that blowing a conch shell - a practice known in India as Shankh blowing - could improve sleep and breathing in people with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to research conducted by Indian doctors.
'This simple practice strengthens the breathing muscles and improves airway tone, helping keep passages open during sleep,' Dr Krishna K Sharma, director of pulmonology at Eternal Hospital, Jaipur, and lead researcher of the study, told ITV News.
'Many participants slept better, snored less, and felt more energetic during the day.'
What did the study find?
The randomised controlled trial, conducted at Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Rajasthan, involved 30 adults newly diagnosed with moderate OSA.
Fourteen participants were trained to blow a conch shell for 15 minutes a day, five days a week, over six months. The remaining 16 performed deep breathing exercises as a placebo control.
After six months, the conch-blowing group showed a 34% reduction in daytime sleepiness, improved sleep quality scores, and four to five fewer apnoea events per hour of sleep. Their nighttime oxygen levels rose by an average of 7%, and their neck circumference decreased, suggesting structural changes in the airway.
By contrast, the control group saw no significant improvements - and in some cases, slightly worsened readings.
'For many participants, the experience was both culturally familiar and physically beneficial,' Dr Sharma added.
'Several reported not only better sleep and reduced snoring, but also a sense of calm and improved daytime energy.'
What is conch blowing and how could it help with sleep apnea?
Conch blowing involves deep inhalation followed by forceful exhalation through the shell's narrow opening, producing a resonant sound. This action engages the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and upper airway muscles, providing resistance training for the respiratory system.
Researchers believe this muscle engagement helps prevent airway collapse during sleep, which is the hallmark of OSA.
Rooted in Hindu rituals and ceremonies, conch blowing has been practised in India for centuries. Its spiritual symbolism is now being explored for therapeutic potential - especially in treating sleep apnoea, a condition that affects millions worldwide and is typically managed with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.
While CPAP is highly effective, many patients - particularly those with milder symptoms - find it uncomfortable or difficult to maintain.
'While CPAP remains the gold standard, not everyone can tolerate it,' said study co-author Dr Rajeev Gupta. 'For such patients, conch blowing might become an accessible and culturally acceptable option.'
The study, published in ERJ Open Research, is already paving the way for broader trials.
Researchers caution that the findings, while promising, stem from a small, single-centre study and must be validated through larger, multi-centre research before widespread adoption.
If confirmed, the ancient sound of the conch shell may soon echo not just in temples - but in bedrooms, as a tool for better sleep and respiratory health.
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