Effects of helium on the brain

[nubiemedic]

Someone told me that helium kills brain cells, so for i'm sceptical. Is this true, and if so why would we use it for diving? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? I've searched everywhere for an answer on my own, with no luck, so now I ask the pro's.

 

[Snowbear]

That's a new one on me. What's the source of your information?

 

[fins wake]

Someone told me that helium kills brain cells

Helium is a totally inert gas. Frankly, I suggest your friend is telling you a fishwife's tale.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Helium does not kill brain cells. But a lack of oxygen does, and the practice of breathing helium instead of air (for the funny voice effect) can lower the oxygen content of the blood (and brain) to dangerous, even life-threatening levels without so much as a little discomfort.
I expect that's where the "Helium kills brain cells" myth comes from.
It's also why helium is the gas of choice for the "hemlock society."
In diving, helium is used to replace nitrogen (in very deep diving the oxygen level in the breathing gas is lowered too, but only to keep the oxygen level from getting too high.) and the oxygen content in the gas is kept at a safe level.
Rick

 

[Gary D.]

The kids sucking on baloons can die if they over do it so I guess the answer could be yes in that arena. As far as diving goes I don't think so. If it did we would have a lot of nut house divers wandering around.

Gary D.

 

[H2Andy]

If it did we would have a lot of nut house divers wandering around.

ah.... hello??


:cheeky:

 

[glbirch]

If it did we would have a lot of nut house divers wandering around.
Gary D.

I resent that remark. Or is that "I resemble that remark?" Hummm...

 

[Snowbear]

The kids sucking on baloons can die if they over do it so I guess the answer could be yes in that arena. As far as diving goes I don't think so. If it did we would have a lot of nut house divers wandering around.

Gary D.

The kids that die sucking on balloons (Helium OR Nitrous Oxide) are dying of hypoxia, which is one of the quickest ways to kill brain cells, NOT the inert gas itself.

As for nuts - aren't we all? I sure hope so - I get called nuts most every time I dive - even without helium! Since I just bought 2 T-bottles worth, I sure HOPE helium isn't going to rot my brain any more than it already is