2006-06-23 07:57:56 · 28 answers · asked by mayris 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
It can have bad effects. The helium constricts your throat (i.e. larynx/voicebox), and that's not very healthy. If you continue to do it, it may cause permanent damage to your throat and cause a change in your voice (e.g. permanent hoarseness). Also, it causes dryness in your throat and your lungs that may damage sensitive cells.
Inhaling helium can quickly lead to brain damage and death from lack of oxygen, according to the Compressed Gas Association, which develops safety standards in the gas industry.. However, your body generally can sense when you don't have enough oxygen, and if you're in an oxygenated room, your reflexes should make you stop sucking in the helium and start breathing oxygen.
2006-06-23 07:59:31 · answer #1 · answered by King Yellow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inhaling helium means no oxygen goes in. No oxygen in eventually means you will pass out from lack of oxygen. Continuing inhalation of nothing but helium after this point would mean death.
Helium itself is non toxic. Deep divers often use a helium oxygen mixture to reduce the possibility of the bends. As long as you have oxygen mixed with the helium in sufficient proportions to sustain life there are no ill effects other than the squeakey voice.
2006-06-23 08:05:46 · answer #2 · answered by namsaev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Defintiely. Taking in too much helium will replace the air in your lungs so no oxygen can get into your bloodstream. This can cause you to pass out. When that happens, depending upon your position, the helium can be trapped in your lungs, killing you. It is rare but possible, and happened recently to two teenagers who managed to climb into a hug helium baloon that was set up as an ad for business outside.
2006-06-23 08:02:19 · answer #3 · answered by But why is the rum always gone? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the helium gets into your blood replacing the oxygen and your brain can't work on helium. But if you're just sucking it from balloons or something like that, you'd pass out long before you'd die. So just don't go over board.
2006-06-23 08:01:24 · answer #4 · answered by MED_SCHOOL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not IMMEDIATE I Try It .
But it Can Kill You .
Speaking after breathing an atmosphere rich in helium results in a squeaky voice And It IS Very Very Very... Bad Thing .
2006-06-23 08:08:42 · answer #5 · answered by Abtin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you inhale too much, there are some pretty bad effects. There isn't any oxygen in that helium, so you're not getting any into your body. If you're not usuing it more than a "gulp" every now and then, (not all the time) you should be ok, but don't use too much.
2006-06-23 08:03:24 · answer #6 · answered by carneyz R Scary 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sure can. What happens to you when you breath in more carbon dioxide than you do oxygen... eventually you'll feel dizzy, pass out, and if it continues you'll die. If you take a big breath of helium you feel a bit dizzy.. that's because your body can't use helium it needs oxygen. Too much and you will pass out... and if you're getting no oxygen or not enough oxygen your brain cells will start to die and you'll end up brain damaged or dead.
2006-06-23 08:01:54 · answer #7 · answered by Jembee1720 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm incline to say no. If it could kill you why on earth would parents allow their children to inhale helium. It seems that after all these years there would be a warning.
2006-06-23 08:05:43 · answer #8 · answered by Kim H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We just lost two young people in our area who climbed into a helium filled promotion balloon, inhaled too much helium and died. What a tragedy.
2006-06-23 08:02:44 · answer #9 · answered by N2theFaith 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By doing that you are replacing the oxyge in your lungs with helium therefore enough sucking on helium could possibly kill you.
2006-06-23 08:05:05 · answer #10 · answered by brocrosby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋