Is Helium Bad For You?
Also Known As: He (periodic table)
Short answer
When inhaled, helium displaces oxygen. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to death in extreme cases.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Irrespective of how fun it may be to have a helium-induced high-pitched voice, the fact is, inhaling helium is dangerous and potentially life threatening. Helium (He), the second most abundant element in the known universe, is a colorless and odorless gas. When inhaled, helium displaces oxygen. The immediate effect of this is most commonly dizziness. In fact, people who huff helium as a recreational activity may be mistaking oxygen deprivation for a "high" - which would come not as a result of lack of oxygen, but via increased dopamine levels. Too much helium at once can lead to death by anoxia (lack of sufficient oxygen).
Not only is helium an immediate threat, but so is the way in which it enters the body. Those who get helium from a tank, for example, are at a greater risk of suffering from an air embolism or rupturing a lung. People (usually children) who inhale helium from balloons are at risk not only of ingesting too much helium, but also taking in small fragments of the balloon itself, leading to the additional possibility of choking.
The conclusion to be drawn from these facts is that aside from being a cool party trick, inhaling helium is a dangerous stunt that can lead to death, with even small amounts of helium being enough to displace oxygen levels leading to fatality.
Possible short-term side effects
- dizziness
-
unconsciousness
-
air embolism
-
ruptured lung
-
choking
-
death (rare, but possible)
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-07-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-07-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Approved by 
