Harmful Effects of Rebreathing Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a gas the body naturally produces as waste. We breathe in oxygen (O₂) to fuel organs and tissues and the end product is CO₂. The balance between these two gases is required for a healthy body. However, when we rebreathe CO₂ it can have harmful and sometimes dangerous effects on the body. When CO₂ levels are elevated in the body it is known as hypercapnia. Hypercapnia can occur for a number of reasons, one of which is rebreathing our own exhaled CO₂. Rebreathing CO₂ can lead to increased blood pressure, headaches, muscle twitches, rapid heart rate, chest pain, confusion, and fatigue. In extreme cases, if left untreated, hypercapnia can lead to organ damage and even have long standing effects on the brain.