If the brain can only survive 4-6 minutes without oxygen, how can freedivers hold their breath for 8+ minutes?

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And what about people like David Blaine or Tom Sietas? Sietas held his breath underwater for over 22 minutes (world record). I know they train for it like months and even years, but doesn’t holding your breath = no oxygen to brain?

Permanent brain damage apparently occurs just after 4 minutes of lack of oxygen to the brain, so why are freedivers left generally unscathed after 8 or 10 minutes without air?

In: Biology

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Long story short, holding your breath doesn’t stop oxygen going to your brain. Your blood keeps circulating while your heart is pumping, getting that sweet sweet oxygen to wherever it’s needed.

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