Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I would like to see the information that backs this up, and see if it can be replicated in many controlled scenarios and not just some think thank that cherry picks data to push a narrative. If a human was left alone in a chamber pumped full of elevated levels of CO2 i could see how humans would be less cognitive, but you have to remember there would also be higher levels of oxygen, which promotes brain growth and function


Why do you think there would be extra oxygen? Atmospheric CO2 is made from atmospheric O2.


I'd agree being in a room pumped with CO₂ would significantly deteriorate cognitive functions, but I have a feeling the studies are overblown WRT climate change.

Humans have high adaptability to increased CO₂ loads (see e.g. freedivers), but adaptation takes time. The studies usually deal with temporary CO₂ increases / O₂ decreases, often in way higher concentrations like 1-10%, whereas a couple percent atmospheric CO₂ would already burn us to a crisp (figuratively).


The studies are CO2 in the 500/1000/1500 and 600/1500/2500 ppm ranges, or 0.05-0.25 percent:

https://escholarship.org/content/qt6gm6t5zc/qt6gm6t5zc.pdf?t...

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1510037


Thanks, seems I've missed a decimal. My questionable sources[1][2] mention concentrations up to 14000 ppm = 1.4% and seem to disagree whether going higher cognitive decline plateaus or it becomes harmful.

Seems there is merit for concern, though I stand by my claims of cognitive effects probably being more temporary than permanent.

[1] https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/DtQzYXBTwaWXbhCoS/stale-air-...

[2] https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/co2-on-the-brain-and-the...




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: