what happens if you inhale helium

Inhaling helium can make your voice sound high-pitched for a moment, but it can also dangerously reduce the oxygen you breathe in and may cause dizziness, fainting, brain injury, or death. It is especially risky to inhale from a tank or to take repeated breaths.

What happens

Helium itself is not poisonous, but it can replace the oxygen in your lungs, so your body may not get enough oxygen. That can make you lightheaded, confused, short of breath, or unconscious very quickly.

Why it’s dangerous

• Helium can cause oxygen deprivation, which is the main danger.

• Breathing pure helium can lead to loss of consciousness in minutes or even faster.

• Inhaling helium from a pressurized tank can also cause serious lung injury or a gas embolism.

• Deaths have been reported from helium inhalation.

If someone just inhaled helium

Move them to fresh air right away and call emergency services if they have trouble breathing, pass out, seem confused, or do not recover quickly. If they are unconscious but breathing, place them on their side and get urgent help immediately.

Safety note

A single brief puff from a balloon may seem harmless, but it is not safe to treat helium as a party trick, especially for kids or anyone using a tank.