Is holding your breath dangerous?

Question

I like to hold my breath... I guess you can't consider it as far as a fetish but it's surely something I enjoy doing .

My question is, is it dangerous? What harm can it do?

I've read that sometime's you pass out but continue breathing even when you're unconscious .

Answer 1

Depriving your brain of oxygen will kill brain cells.  Just a few at a time, but it does add up.  Brain cells don't grow back, so each time you reduce your intelligence.

You've been doing this a lot, I take it?

Answer 2

If you're just choosing not to take a breath then it probably is OK. Don't use anything to help you because that could be dangerous.

As far as I know, if you're otherwise healthy the thing you read is right. The urge to breathe is very strong when you need it.

But there are situations, like sleep apnoea, that can complicate things. I can't see it as an issue in your scenario though.

I gotta say, this is a new one for me, it seems a little bit kooky. What's to like about it?

Answer 3

You can't pass out by holding your breath.Your brain may start becoming foggy and you may feel your lungs bursting for want of oxygen and at this stage holding the breath is no more a voluntary function unless someone is forcibly gaging you. You will start breathing automatically whether you want it or not. There can't be a permanent damage done by holding your breath to your capacity.A few deep breaths and you are back to normal.Now if you are practicing it to improve your under water staying capacity,it will be of little help.You can improve it further by long distance jogging or running to improve your stamina and by chest expansion exercises thus improving your vital lung capacity.

Note:Brain cells are likely to die if the blood supply to brain is totally cut off for 3 minutes or more and not by merely holding the breath.

Answer 4

not but if you hold it for about 10 min. yoy may be holding it permanently.