If you hold your breath alot won't some of your brain cells die because of the lack of oxygen?

Question

I was just wondering.

Answer 1

No. You'll pass out before the brain cells die from lack of oxygen.

Cell death starts at about 3 to 5 minutes without air.

Your body will try to breathe when your carbon dioxide level in the lungs gets too high, or the oxygen level in your blood gets too low. You will also pass out if your oxygen level is way too low. You might be able to overcome the first two, but as soon as you pass out, you start to breathe again.

Along the way to passing out, your brain shuts down excess activity and sends a signal to the legs to tremor, causing you to unlock your knees and fall down reasonably safely. You'll notice that you get tunnel vision, and your periferal vision goes black. Shortly thereafter, you'll black out entirely.

Answer 2

They are dying anyway.

The body will cut the blood supply to lesser-vital organs to keep the brain supplied.

But yes, any reduction in oxygen supply is a danger of losing a cells quicker for as long as you hold our breath.

Answer 3

Why don't you try it and do it a lot and see. Could that be what is wrong with some childrens' brain, the ones who have tantrums and hold their breaths a lot?

Answer 4

Yes

Answer 5

more than likely you will pass out before it gets that far. i don't know of any one that can hold their breath long enough to affect their brain cells

Answer 6

yes. why hold your breath anyway? when you get my age you pray to breathe