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LiamTheHuman t1_j2co6n9 wrote

Reply to comment by Allthepancakemix in TIL breathing into a paper bag to ease anxiety attacks is a real thing, with science to back it up, and not just something seen on TV/Movies. by OneSideDone

That's funny, I would say it works for the hyperventilation and indirectly on the anxiety

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Allthepancakemix t1_j2copdz wrote

It works for the act of hyperventilating, it slows down your breathing and focuses you on something besides the panic, but doesn't have a direct effect on the balance of blood gases. The rebreathing of CO2 is what helps with that, and you obviously don't get that without a real bag.

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LiamTheHuman t1_j2cq3ks wrote

I don't think we take in CO2 through our lungs. I might be wrong but I think it's just slowing down how much CO2 is breathed out and lowering the amount of oxygen taken in that increases CO2 in the blood back to regular levels. So slowing breathing is very similar to using a paper bag in how it works.

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Allthepancakemix t1_j2cqnh2 wrote

You're absolutely right, it's the lowering of oxygen levels (I was being a dumbass, my med school professor would smack me for this) When breathing in an actual bag, it just goes down faster.

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