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Why You Can’t Suffocate by Holding Your Breath - Image

Why You Can’t Suffocate by Holding Your Breath

2 October 2024

A new article explains why it’s impossible to suffocate by holding your breath. According to experts, the body’s autonomic nervous system takes over when oxygen levels drop too low, forcing a person to breathe involuntarily. Even if someone were to hold their breath until they lose consciousness, the body’s natural reflex will restore breathing. This built-in survival mechanism ensures that we cannot intentionally deprive ourselves of oxygen to a dangerous extent.