Snoring is a common sleep problem that affects many people and disrupts the sleep of those around them. While occasional snoring is often harmless, chronic snoring caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can block airways and reduce sleep quality.

A recent Indian study published in the European Respiratory Journal Open Research on August 11, 2025, has found that blowing the conch shell may significantly reduce snoring and improve sleep quality. In this small trial, 30 participants aged 19 to 65 with obstructive sleep apnea were asked to blow a conch shell for 15 minutes a day, five days a week, over six months.

The participants who regularly blew the conch reported 34% less daytime sleepiness and better overall sleep quality compared to those who practiced deep breathing exercises. This ancient practice acts as an exercise to strengthen the upper airway muscles, tongue, and respiratory muscles.

Dr. Krishna K. Sharma of Eternal Heart Care Center and Research Institute, Jaipur, explains that blowing the conch involves deep inhalation followed by a controlled continuous exhalation with lips tightly closed, similar to a breathing exercise. This can help keep airways open, potentially reducing snoring and mild OSA symptoms, presenting a low-cost and accessible alternative to machines like the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.

Encouraged by these initial findings, researchers are now planning larger trials involving multiple hospitals to further validate the effectiveness of this traditional technique.

In summary, blowing the conch offers a hopeful ancient Indian solution to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by strengthening airway muscles and improving breathing during sleep, paving the way for more accessible and affordable remedies to common sleep disorders.