What can help recover from hyperventilation?

Breathing into a paper bag is a technique that can help recover from hyperventilation by providing a way to rebalance carbon dioxide levels in the body. During hyperventilation, an individual exhales too much carbon dioxide, which can lead to symptoms like lightheadedness and tingling sensations. When breathing into a paper bag, the person re-inhales some of the exhaled carbon dioxide, which helps to restore the balance of gases in the bloodstream and alleviate hyperventilation symptoms.

This method can be particularly effective because it encourages a slower, more controlled breathing pattern, which is essential for calming the nervous system and stabilizing respiration. The act of focusing on breathing into the bag can also help reduce anxiety, which may contribute to the hyperventilation episode.

In contrast, options like drinking water and ignoring the symptoms do not directly address the underlying issue of disrupted breathing patterns. Taking deep breaths can be helpful, but it may not specifically target the unique physiological changes caused by hyperventilation, which makes the paper bag method particularly suited for recovery in these situations.