CO2 measurements in healthy and asthmatic groups
While the range of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled
air as measured by breath capnography can vary in individuals from 26 mm/hg to
48 mm/hg, the majority of the healthy population has values that fall between 35
and 40 mm/hg with few individuals reaching values above 42 mm/hg.
Asthmatics on the other hand commonly have resting values of CO2 between 30 and
35 mm/hg.
In trying to determine optimum CO2 levels, a group of
healthy subjects varied their respiratory rates from between 3 and 20 breaths
per minutes. This hypo- and hyper-
ventilation had the effect of letting them experience CO2 levels from 48 mm/hg
to 26 mm/hg. These were the extreme
values that were within the comfort range of the subjects.
What was discovered was that when their CO2 level reached 26 mm/hg, all
subjects became physically and psychologically uncomfortable reporting
dizziness, tingling in the hands, nausea, lightheadedness and anxiety.
At the other end of the spectrum, CO2 levels of 42 mm/hg were associated
with warmth and relaxation with CO2 levels of 48 mm/hg being slightly narcotic
and at the upper limit of their comfort range.
CO2 values between 36 and 42 mm/hg were agreed as the most pleasant
values, with values between 28 and 35 mm/hg being considered slightly
uncomfortable and anxiety forming.
Among the asthmatics we tested, their low CO2 resting rates of between 30 and 35 mm/hg, already quite low, were easily lowered to the 26 mm/hg threshold by either light exercise or stress, and it was at this CO2 level that their asthma attacks manifested.
We propose that through the use of inhaled CO2, subjects CO2 values can be kept above the 26 mm/hg threshold, thus avoiding asthmatic attacks, and preferable above 35 mm/hg, thus optimizing their metabolic function and improving the subclinical symptoms associated with asthma such as anxiety, insomnia, immune dysfunction or excessive sensitivity to pain.
Other reactions to excessively low CO2 such as epilepsy or migraines, Parkinsons, autism may likewise be ameliorated by normalizing CO2 levels.