Physiology of Breath Holding

Every time you hold your breath, an incredible process starts

inside you.

As oxygen levels begin to fall, your body works to preserve the oxygen

it still has.

During prolonged breath holding, your spleen begins to contract.

The spleen normally acts as a reservoir for red blood cells.

When it tightens, it pushes some of these stored red blood

cells into your

circulation.

This temporarily increases the concentration of red blood cells in the

bloodstream, boosting the blood's oxygen-carrying

capacity.

More oxygen can then be transported to vital organs and working

tissues. The ability to mobilize these extra red

blood cells offers a survival advantage in low oxygen

environments.