Experts say a unique breathing solution may lead to better sleep

As those with breathing problems are well aware, issues like deviated septa, frequent congestion, allergies, chronic drippy noses and more can make life, and especially sleep, incredibly difficult. And poor sleep can affect the body and mind in countless negative ways, making it imperative that we do everything we can to sleep better. Intake Breathing’s magnetic nose strips went viral on TikTok, and after talking to experts and reading reviews, it looks like an incredible option for people who need extra breathing support, day or night.

All three of my siblings have deviated septa, so I spent my childhood falling asleep to a cacophony of snores. I am intimately familiar with the travails of those who experience this nightly symphony, and while I spent my teen years painting myself as a victim of this aural pandemonium, I now understand that the snoring was a result of breathing problems that ultimately affected their sleep and quality of life to varying degrees. 

Nasal strips commonly look like Band-Aids or Steri-Strips and use adhesive to pull the nasal passages open. “Think of it as scaffolding for your nostrils,” said Dr. Geoffrey Trenkle, an otolaryngologist and founder and CEO of the Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat And Allergy, who added that the strips reduce “dynamic collapse,” which is when the nostrils cave inward during heavy breathing. (“It’s a mechanical solution, not a pharmacological one, which is part of what makes it appealing to a wide range of patients,” he said.) Dr. Paul Frake, an otolaryngologist at ENT & Allergy Associates in Northeast Philadelphia, told HuffPost that nasal strips “work by providing physical expansion of the internal nasal valve,” which he explained is the narrowest area for airflow in most people. 

While disposable adhesive strips have long been a drugstore staple for troubled breathers,magnetic nasal strips are now being touted by many online as a comfortable, durable and effective alternative, largely in part for their supposed ability to open nasal passages significantly more than traditional nasal strips. They’re also designed to be soft and unobtrusive, so you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for breathing. 

Available in three colors, the set includes four reusable bands in different sizes and 15 disposable single-use adhesive tabs that need to be replaced nightly. The strips are designed to create a stronger nasal lift that is consistent and won’t slip or lose grip overnight or while moving – a common complaint with the traditional variety. While they’re more expensive than a box of Breathe-Right strips, the magnetic portion is intended for longterm use, making it worthy of the investment.

In regards to the supposed superiority of these unique strips, Trenkle shared that the benefits of using magnetic nasal strips are the same as any nasal strip, just amplified. He noted that while he’d prefer to see more peer-reviewed studies before making blanket claims, it’s possible that the lateral magnetic force may be more effective than traditional nasal strips, but it likely depends on individual anatomy. In general, nasal strips of either variety can help to provide “better airflow through the nose during sleep or exercise, less mouth breathing, reduced snoring and, for some people, even a noticeable improvement in sleep quality.” 

Reviewers are sold on the magnetic variety, calling them impressive, a game-changer and more. One shopper even said it works over her nightly skin care products. If you are tired of using traditional nose strips that barely work, it’s time to give these a shot. Keep reading to see what they have to say and then pick up a set for yourself. 

Promising reviews:

“Truly works. I saw ads for this a year ago and was intrigued but never purchased it. After fighting another year of an inability to breathe while laying on my right side, I decided to purchase it and give it shot. Instant difference!! Immediately I was able to be on my right side and breathe normal. I wear the nose band every night now.” — Ritchie

“I have a nose with tweaked nasal/nostril passages due to a fight in high school years ago; I also have over-active mucous glands. As a result, I never sleep through the night well and snore like a hibernating grizzly bear. I have tried everything under the sun except surgery: various strips, herbs/teas, flushes, mists/sprays, diff sleeping positions, etc. and nothings worked consistently until I tried these. They work very well; I get 2-3 days out of the adhesive magnets. I am sleeping better than I have since I was a kid and my wife says I barely snore at all anymore. I honestly had no idea how bad my sleep was until I started using these—it’s like my body forgot what a restful night’s sleep was but now I wake up fully rested and ready for the day with excellent energy that lasts and no mid-afternoon crashes. Oh-also I sleep longer; before using these I’d consistently wake up around 4a; now I sleep in until 6a which is a huge improvement for me. I highly recommend.” — J&AOnTheFarm

“Works great for snoring. Bought these for my boyfriend, they work amazing. He used to snore due to issues with his nose, but not with these on, now he is breathing clear and no snoring! The adhesive is strong and so are the magnets so tossing and turning will not pull it off. It’s not the most fashionable but I think it’s a great trade off to be able to breath clear.”— nevaeh

“I bought these for myself, a chronically congested and sniffly person, and I love them. But recently, they were recommended by the dentist for my 5 year old. He has a narrow mouth/jaw and the way he’s growing is making his sinuses super narrow. He can breathe through his nose, but barely. He’s going to need an expander to fix the issue, but in the mean time this is helping him a ton! He’s much less restless when he wears his Intake….because he can actually breathe! And shockingly, he actually likes it! He’s got some sensory issues and won’t tolerate a lot of things he finds uncomfortable, but he doesn’t have an issue with these at all. I would love to see the company come out with different color/pattern options for kids, because my other 5 year old loves this too. She calls it her “nose breather” 🤣. 10/10 would recommend.” — HGB

“It’s wonderful. They are high quality and very effective; they adhere very well to the skin without irritating it, as the material is soft and comfortable to wear, and the color is exactly like the photo” — Francelys Castellano

“I would give this ten stars if I could! This is perfect for my deviated septum and doesn’t make me break out like I thought it might. I stopped wearing my CPAP mask and now wear this instead. It feels safer because it doesn’t blow water into my mask or stop work randomly in the middle is the night while I’m in a deep sleep! This is well worth the money!! They are magnetized and have various sizes to use. I started with the smallest and found that going up one size helped open the nasal passage more for more air intake. I love it! It also doesn’t look bad. I would probably wear one during the day if they had skin colored ones!” — R. Gates

“Absolutely amazing. I’ve used breath right strips for years but always had issues with them. I have a small nose and even with the smallest size I have found were to big. My husband finally convinced me to just try this. So I bought it. I don’t even know it’s there. Like I said I have a small nose, and this fits perfectly, because that was my biggest fear, it wouldn’t fit. So glad i bought this. Definitely worth it” — Amazon customer

“I’ll admit—these little nasal attachments seemed questionable when I first got a look at them, but if allergies and narrow nostrils conspire to keep you less than fully oxygenated at night, you’ll be sticking magnets up your nose faster than you can say, “Sleep APNEA!” I find the strips unobtrusive, easy to use, easy to sleep-with, and much more effective than any other nasal strip I have tried in the past and I have tried them ALL. On a side note, if you are an athlete or frequent the gym and want an edge to optimize your oxygen intake, these are outstanding. Of course, everyone’s comfort level differs, but if you have found relief by using nasal strips in the past, you can really up-your-breathing-game by giving these a try. Great idea and, in my experience, a great product.” — JordanJasper

Now that you’re breathing better, make sure the air around you is fresh and clean. Take a look at some bestselling air purifiers from previous HuffPost coverage.