Sunday, 15 November 2020

Gasping for a Drink?

Researchers, in Toronto, have found that hyperventilating (breathing deeply and rapidly) into a device that regulates carbon dioxide levels, is a very effective way of eliminating alcohol from the bloodstream (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/13/alcohol-hyperventilating-metabolize-faster-medical-research). The suitcase-sized device, keeps carbon dioxide levels in the blood constant. If levels of the gas fell too low, the hyperventilation could not continue. Carbon dioxide (detected in the brainstem) triggers the breathing response. In essence, the response is similar to treating some breathing disorders, by getting people to breathe into a paper bag. The technique could be very useful in treating people with alcohol poisoning.
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