Most people are completely unaware that the natural resting position for the human tongue is actually pressed against the roof of the mouth, not laying flat at the bottom.

A closer look

Most people are completely unaware that the natural resting position for the human tongue is actually pressed against the roof of the mouth, not laying flat at the bottom. This subconscious suction creates a slight vacuum that helps keep the airway open and supports the structural development of the jaw and face. The moment you are explicitly told this, your brain switches to manual breathing mode and you become hyper-aware of exactly where your fleshy oral muscle is currently sitting. Neuroscience is fascinating because a simple string of words can instantly override your autonomic nervous system and subject you to an agonizingly awkward hyper-fixation on the interior mechanics of your own skull