CO₂ Tolerance Dashboard
Your body's relationship with your breath.
Take the CO₂ Tolerance Test to unlock all your breath metrics!
BOLT Score
Take the CO₂ Tolerance Test to see your score.
CO₂ Retention
How effectively your body manages CO₂ buildup. Higher = better nervous system regulation.
Vagal Tone Index
Parasympathetic nervous system activity. Higher = better relaxation, recovery, and emotional regulation.
Estimated HRV
Heart rate variability estimate. Higher = better autonomic flexibility and stress resilience.
Respiratory Control Ratio
Exhale-to-inhale ratio. Near or above 1.0 = balanced breathing. Above 1.0 = calming, parasympathetic-dominant.
Quick Breathing Pattern Checklist(assess your daily habits)
Do you breathe through your mouth at rest or during sleep?
⚠️ Mouth breathing at rest reduces CO₂ tolerance and disrupts sleep quality.
Do you sigh or yawn frequently throughout the day?
⚠️ Frequent sighing resets CO₂ levels lower, worsening breathlessness over time.
Can you hear or feel your own breathing at rest?
⚠️ Audible breathing at rest often indicates overbreathing. Aim for silent nasal breath.
Do you feel breathless during light activity (walking, talking)?
⚠️ This may indicate low CO₂ tolerance — gentle nasal breathing training helps.
Do you breathe into your upper chest rather than your belly?
⚠️ Chest breathing activates the sympathetic nervous system. Train diaphragmatic breath.
If you answered "yes" to 2 or more, your CO₂ tolerance test score is likely below 30s. These habits are addressable through consistent nasal breathing practice.
Did You Know?
The Bohr Effect
CO₂ is what triggers your red blood cells to release oxygen to your tissues. Without adequate CO₂, oxygen can't be delivered efficiently — even if your blood is fully saturated.
Mouth vs. Nose
Nasal breathing produces nitric oxide — a powerful vasodilator that improves oxygen uptake by up to 18% compared to mouth breathing.
Consistency matters
Users who practice nasal breathing and low-and-slow breathing 3+ times per week typically see a 15–20% improvement in CO₂ tolerance within 4–6 weeks.
Stress and breathing
Chronic stress causes habitual overbreathing, which lowers CO₂ and keeps the nervous system in low-grade "alert mode." Breathwork directly breaks this cycle.
Understanding Your Metrics
These values are derived from your CO₂ Tolerance Test. They represent estimated physiological responses — not medical diagnostics. Use them to observe trends in your breathing efficiency, nervous-system resilience, and overall wellness.