Can a man die by holding his breath? Has it been done before?
2006-07-16 22:07:07 · 19 answers · asked by foreverasking 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Not typically. Barring an unfortunate heart attack while performing this stunt, you'd just pass out (lose consciousness) and begin breathing again as part of your autonomic nervous system functions (what your body does on its own, like causing your heart to beat).
2006-07-16 22:10:21 · answer #1 · answered by m137pay 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Breathing is an automatically controlled function. Holding ones breath is a mind control function.
Hold the breath long enough and you would pass out. The mind control function would shut down and the automatic function would cut in making you breath again. Also when the body finds itself in extreme difficulty the 'fight or flight' mechanism kicks in and would flood the body with adrenaline which would also make you breath.
I would not say it is entirely impossible but it is highly unlikely anyone could do it.
2006-07-16 22:13:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No... unless u are in water or some other places with no oxygen or u are using something hold hold ur nose or mouth. When a person holds his breath, there will come to a point where the person will pass out due to short of oxygen in the brain, thus losing consiousness. but when the person lost consiousness, it also means the person will lose control of his or her body actions, thus as a reflex action, the person will start breathing again...
2006-07-16 22:16:03 · answer #3 · answered by kelvin low 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No and this is what would happen you would hold your breath and either give up and breath or become very dizzy and light headed and then pass out and then you body starts to breath again its not like you can choose to hold your breath to death its like thinking you have the power to start and stop your heart you cant its programed to do it for you with out thinking about it
2006-07-16 22:15:06 · answer #4 · answered by eeyore_0816 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Holding your breath is a willful act. Even if a person held their breath long enough to pass out, their autonomic functions would kick in, causing the person to breathe.
So, no, a person can't kill themselves through asphyxiation by holding their breath until they die.
2006-07-16 22:11:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would pass out from holding your breath-- which then you would start breathing again as the unconscious mind took over.
2006-07-16 22:11:32 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa the Pooh 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
parapsychology says that if a person can get command over holding his breath.he can get his inner body or light body active.he can get many spiritual benefits by this.but it should b done with the guidance of teacher.
think of a drowning man,when he lakes oxygen & his breath is held.his soul or light body aparts from his physical body & he dies
but by doing the practice of breath holding consciously one can activate his light body while his physical body is alive
2006-07-16 22:53:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, slightly possible if the struggle to hold his breath causes a stroke or a heart attack, or if he spontaneously had an aneurysm.
Or if he was about to die from cancer, etc. and it was his time to go.
2006-07-16 22:12:13 · answer #8 · answered by Lee J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, your instinct is to breathe, and you body will not allow you to hold your breathe for long periods so that you would die, your body would just take over and you would have no choice
2006-07-16 22:11:20 · answer #9 · answered by REAPER_ENTERPRISES 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Breating is controlled by voluntary muscles. You cannot hold your breath till you die.
2006-07-16 22:15:48 · answer #10 · answered by K.J. Jeyabaskaran K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋