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Ape_Togetha_Strong t1_je0v0f6 wrote

Your blood pH should be in a specific range. CO2 dissolved in your blood makes it more acidic. When you hyperventilate, the concentration of CO2 in your blood drops. When you breathe into a paper bag, you inhale more CO2 than you would just breathing air from outside the bag, and it helps compensate for the extra CO2 you're exhaling.

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toomanyeevees2 t1_je1znh2 wrote

this is the only correct response

hyperventilating makes you blow off too much carbon dioxide. breathing into a bag forces you to rebreathe that CO2, which keeps the balance of CO2 in your blood closer to normal. too little CO2 in your blood makes your blood too alkaline, which is not good for all the chemical reactions happening in your body.

the purpose isnt to make you breathe slower, it’s preventing respiratory alkalosis

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TrialAndAaron t1_je4iqdx wrote

Thanks for this. I always thought it was just a way to regulate breathing. Very interesting!

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shhlurkingforscience t1_je2ozl4 wrote

This is correct!!!

Moreover! This is why breathing in the correct manner helps with physiological relaxation. (Look up diaphragmatic breathing). Especially with a slightly longer exhale than an inhale (example: inhale for 4 counts, hold, exhale for 6 -7 counts, hold) helps tamp down the fight or flight system (sympathetic nervous system) by activating the rest and digest system (parasympathetic nervous system).

The reason it works is that it is a backdoor way to communicate to your brain: hey, this isn't a threat. I'm fine. I'm not in danger.

Same principle, generally, as what is being discussed with using the paper bag for hyperventilation.

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