To be honest, you can play with your breathing using a pen cap—but it’s very different from a tool designed specifically for this purpose:

Airflow resistance is random

The holes in a pen cap weren’t designed to “lengthen exhalation.” Some are so small you end up straining and holding your breath; others are so large they barely have any effect. Hoomi’s inner diameter and length have been adjusted over and over to create just the right amount of resistance—enough to naturally stretch out your exhale, without making you feel short of breath or like you’re forcing it.

Material and safety are not the same

A pen cap is made from ordinary plastic, which may contain pigments or ink residue, and is not tested for “in-mouth” safety. Many people also unconsciously chew on pen caps, which carries a risk of choking or swallowing. Hoomi uses medical-grade stainless steel with a stable finish that is durable, easy to clean, and intended to be used at your mouth for many years.

Comfort and feel

Pen caps often have rough edges or burrs that scratch the lips or hands and feel uncomfortable if you hold them in your mouth for long. Hoomi is mirror-polished with rounded edges, so it feels smoother and gentler against your lips.

Habit-building & appearance

You don’t always carry a pen cap with you, and it doesn’t look great—so once you’re busy, you simply forget to use it. Hoomi is worn like a necklace, so it’s always within reach when you want to slow your breathing. It also looks like jewelry rather than a piece of stationery you randomly decided to put in your mouth.

In short: a pen cap can be a temporary stand-in, but Hoomi is purpose-built so you can slow your exhale safely and comfortably, every day.

Most people know that slowing down the breath helps with relaxation, but very few actually do it. Why? Because we take around 23,000 breaths a day, and almost all of them are unconscious.Hoomi is a physical breathing aid. When you wear it, slowing your breath gradually becomes a regular daily practice instead of just an idea in your head. Whether you’re stuck in traffic, lying awake at night, or simply feeling on edge, Hoomi gives you something to reach for that helps you return to a calmer state more quickly.

Research suggests that deliberately slowing your breathing—and making your exhale longer than your inhale—can help activate the vagus nerve, supporting a shift from a tense “fight or flight” state toward a calmer “rest and digest” mode. This is associated with reduced feelings of stress and a steadier physiological state.

Key findings often cited include:

• Meta-analytic evidence (2024, Mindfulness): Slow breathing (around 6 breaths per minute or fewer) has been associated with improved cardiovascular markers and increased heart rate variability (HRV), alongside reductions in stress/anxiety and increases in calmness and positive emotions.
• Clinical evidence (2023): Even simple slow-breathing exercises can significantly reduce psychological stress in healthy adults. The most important factor is that the overall breathing pattern becomes slower—the exact inhale/exhale ratio may matter less than many people think.
• Psychology & neuroscience perspectives: When the exhale is longer than the inhale, it’s commonly linked to stronger vagal activity and higher HRV—helping counter the “fight or flight” response and allowing heart rate, blood pressure, and emotional state to stabilize over time.
• Recent review papers: Slow, deep breathing (often diaphragmatic) has been summarized as supporting higher vagal tone and improved emotional regulation, and is often discussed alongside lower cortisol (the “stress hormone”), anxiety, and perceived stress.

How this connects to Hoomi
Hoomi is designed to turn this well-supported slow-breathing principle into a simple physical tool you’ll actually use daily. When you place it at your lips and exhale slowly through it, Hoomi adds gentle resistance so your exhale naturally lengthens. Over time, your brain may begin to treat this steadier breathing pattern as a more familiar “default.”

Important noteIf you experience serious chest tightness, dizziness, have heart conditions, or respiratory disease, talk to your doctor first. Breathing practices are for everyday regulation and support—they are not medical treatment.

This is very common—especially the first time. Hoomi usually isn’t meant to “make emotions disappear instantly.” It’s designed to help guide your breathing pattern into a slower, steadier rhythm. For most people, the first changes are subtle physiological shifts (easier breathing, less tension in the shoulders/neck, a softer sense of heartbeat, a quieter mind), rather than an immediate, dramatic wave of relaxation.

Here are the most common reasons—and how to adjust:

1) Not enough time or too few rounds
Breath regulation takes a little time for your body to “receive the signal.” We recommend six (6) to ten (10) slow exhales per session, about sixty (60) to ninety (90) seconds total. If you stop after one or two exhales, it’s often hard to notice a difference.

2) Exhaling too forcefully (creating tension instead of length)
The key to slow exhalation is smoothness, not effort. If your throat feels tight, your chest is pushing hard, or you’re unconsciously holding your breath, your body can shift into more tension. Try a gentler exhale—like softly fogging a piece of glass, not blowing up a balloon.

3) Using it when you’re already fairly calm
Hoomi is often easiest to notice in moments of higher activation—when you feel tense, your heart feels faster, you’re restless at night, or cravings spike. If you’re already relaxed, the sensation may feel subtle.

4) Expecting immediate emotional relief—when the first effect is physical rhythm
Many people judge it by “Do I feel emotionally better right away?” A more useful check is whether your body is settling:

• Is your breathing slower and smoother?
• Does your heartbeat feel less pronounced?
• Do your shoulders/neck feel looser?
• Is your mind slightly quieter?

Sometimes the shift is from one hundred (100) to eighty (80)—not an instant zero.

5) It can take time to build a repeatable body response
For some people, the real “I can feel it” effect comes from consistency. Try using it for seven (7) days, one (1) to three (3) times per day (or whenever needed). Over time, your body learns to treat slow exhalation as a familiar reset pattern.

Recommended method (to feel it more clearly)

• Inhale naturally through your nose
• Exhale smoothly through Hoomi, aiming for about five (5) to seven (7) seconds per exhale (no forcing)
• Complete eight (8) rounds
• Afterward, self-check using the four markers above (breath / heartbeat sensation / shoulders & neck / mind)

Important noteIf you feel lightheaded, chest tightness, or more discomfort while using it, stop and return to normal breathing. Next time, make your exhale gentler and slower. If you have any heart, lung, or respiratory conditions, it’s best to consult a qualified medical professional first.

To be direct: it’s a fair question. Hoomi isn’t a cheap trinket—it’s a tool you put to your lips every day, designed to stay with you for years.

1) Premium materials + daily comfort

Hoomi is made from high-grade stainless steel and goes through fine machining and polishing. The edges are rounded so they won’t scratch or “bite” your lips, and the color is set with a specialized finishing process (not a thin coating that chips or fades quickly). These details affect both durability and whether you’ll actually want to wear it every day.

2) It’s a tuned breathing tool—not just a necklace

Hoomi isn’t “a necklace with a hole.” Its inner diameter, length, and U-shaped structure are engineered to create the right amount of airflow resistance—enough to naturally lengthen your exhale without feeling suffocating or forced. You’re paying for a carefully tuned tool designed to help turn slow breathing into a real habit.

3) Built to last (and be used)

We don’t want Hoomi to be an impulse gadget that ends up in a drawer. It’s meant to be a long-term, wearable ritual you can return to during stressful moments—one considered investment instead of a cycle of disposable, cheap tools you don’t stick with.

4) 30-day trial

Because this isn’t a small purchase, we offer a 30-day trial. If it doesn’t feel worth it or doesn’t fit your life right now, you can return it according to our return policy. We want what stays with you to be something you can honestly say, “I’m glad I bought this.”

Hoomi is made from high-grade stainless steel sourced from rigorously vetted metal suppliers. Both the raw material and finished pieces are tested by independent third parties to ensure they meet international safety standards for products that come into contact with the skin and mouth.

Precision manufacturing process
Each Hoomi goes through multiple steps, including:

• CNC shaping for accuracy
• Fine edge-rounding for comfort
• Mirror polishing so there are no burrs or sharp edges at your lips

Durable, long-lasting finish
The outer finish is bonded to the metal surface using a multi-layer plating and high-temperature curing process to improve wear resistance and help prevent fading.

Final inspection (every piece)
Before shipping, every unit is individually checked for appearance, dimensions, and airflow resistance to ensure it meets our design specifications before it reaches you.

1. Wear it like a necklace so it’s always within reach.
2. When you want a quick reset, bring Hoomi to your lips and make a gentle seal.
3. Inhale normally through your nose (don’t force it).
4. Exhale slowly through Hoomi—smooth and steady, like you’re fogging a mirror (but softer).
5. Repeat for 30–90 seconds (about 6–10 slow exhales).
6. Use it anytime you need it: before meetings, during commutes, at night, or when cravings hit.

Tips

• Keep it comfortable—no straining or breath-holding.

If you feel lightheaded, stop, breathe normally, and try a gentler pace next time.

Daily cleaning (recommended)

• Wipe with a clean, soft cloth.
• If there are saliva marks or fingerprints, use a slightly damp cloth, then wipe dry.

Deep cleaning (as needed)

• Wash gently with warm water and a small amount of mild soap (like dish soap).
• Rinse thoroughly, dry with a soft cloth, and let it air-dry completely before use.

Notes

• Avoid alcohol, bleach, harsh chemicals, or abrasive cleaners—they may damage the finish.
• If yours is plated/colored, avoid long soaking to help preserve the coating.
• If sharing with others, clean after each use for hygiene.

Although Hoomi breath necklace wasn’t originally designed as a smoking-cessation product, we’ve heard from many customers that it can be a helpful “replacement tool” when cravings hit. When the urge to smoke spikes, doing a few rounds of slower exhales can help bring your body back to a steadier rhythm—making it easier to ride out that peak craving and gradually reduce how often you reach for a cigarette.

There’s also research pointing in a similar direction: studies have found that slow, controlled breathing can reduce craving intensity and withdrawal-related tension, and smoking-cessation research consistently emphasizes the value of “replacement behaviors” and coping strategies—swapping the automatic “I need a cigarette” moment for a simple, repeatable action or ritual. For example:

• McClernon et al., 2004 (controlled deep breathing and smoking withdrawal/craving)
• Shahab, Sarkar & West, 2013 (yogic breathing and cigarette craving/withdrawal)
• Lotfalian et al., 2019 (mindfulness-based yogic breathing and smoking outcomes)
• Klinsophon et al., 2020 (breathing exercises and nicotine withdrawal/craving)
• USPSTF evidence reviews (behavioral counseling/behavioral interventions improve quit rates)

That said, Hoomi is not a medical device and it does not guarantee you’ll quit smoking. It’s best thought of as an on-demand breath + replacement-habit tool—something you can reach for in the exact moments cravings show up, ideally alongside a structured quit plan (behavioral support, nicotine replacement therapy, or guidance from a clinician).