Will I be OK after inhaling helium?

Breathing in pure helium deprives the body of oxygen, as if you were holding your breath. After inhaling helium, the body’s oxygen level can plummet to a hazardous level in a matter of seconds. You don’t have to worry about fatal asphyxiation if you’re sucking from a helium balloon at a party.

What is the safest way to inhale helium?

Put your mouth over the hole and inhale while squeezing the balloon. Don’t just hold the helium in your mouth—breathe it in like you would a normal breath of air. Just 3-4 seconds should be enough to fill your lungs with helium.

How many brain cells die when you inhale helium?

The good news is, breathing helium does not kill brain cells. The bad news is that breathing helium can, in fact, kill you — but not because of the helium, rather because the lack of oxygen when you inhale the helium.

Is it bad to inhale too much helium?

Breathing in pure helium can cause death by asphyxiation in just minutes. Inhaling helium from a pressurized tank can also cause a gas or air embolism, which is a bubble that becomes trapped in a blood vessel, blocking it. Finally, the helium can also enter your lungs with enough force to cause your lungs to rupture.

What happens if you inhale helium gas from a balloon?

Inhaling Helium from Balloons. If you inhale helium from a balloon, you get a squeaky voice. You may also get light-headed because you’re breathing in pure helium gas rather than oxygen-containing air. This can lead to hypoxia or low oxygen. If you take more than a couple of breaths of helium gas, you could pass out.

Can you pass out from inhaling helium?

A one-off breath of helium from a small balloon for a laugh is unlikely to be catastrophic, but it can cause dizziness and make you pass out. Have a seat so you don’t have far to fall and avoid channeling your inner munchkin by inhaling from a helium tank or giant balloon.

Can helium damage your voice?

And while helium certainly has voice-altering qualities, inhaling too much of it can be dangerous — deadly even. Read on. Science says that when you inhale helium, it displaces the oxygen already present in your body. That means that when you do inhale it, you are only inhaling helium; there is no oxygen.

Are helium balloons safe for kids?

But, a helium balloon is unlikely to cause major health issues. It is still advisable to exercise precaution, especially when you are letting a child partake in such games. If you are to inhale helium from other sources, say directly from the pressurized tank, you risk putting your health in danger.