What Does
Carbogen Mean?
Carbogen (CO4) is a gas composed of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Inhaling carbogen causes the brain and body to respond as if it were experiencing oxygen defficiency or suffocation. This results in a number of physiological and psychological responses that can aid in specific psychiatric treatments and medical interventions.
Carbogen is also known as Meduna's Mixture.
Safeopedia Explains Carbogen
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines carbogen as an "inhaled form of oxygen and carbon dioxide that has more oxygen than air has." The NCI further notes that carbogen is being studied as a promising component in cancer treatment, since it can potentially decrease oxygen levels in cancer cells and make them more susceptible to radiation therapy.
in addition to various types of cancer, carbogen inhalation therapy is also studied or used as an experimental treatment for other conditions, including:
- Retinal artery occlusion
- Optic nerve damage
- Seizures
- Strokes
- Sudden hearing loss
Many of these treatments rely on one of the two major effects of carbogen:
- An increase in blood flow, which can be used to combat artery occlusion or increase blood flow to the inner ear to treat hearing loss
- Radiosensitizing cells, making them more sensitive to radiation-based treatments
Carbogen Safety Hazards
The National Library of Medicine highlights the following safety hazards related to carbogen:
- Dizziness or asphyxiation from exposure to carbogen vapors
- Burns or frostbite from contact with liquefied carbogen
- Although carbogen does not burn, it may ingnite combustibles
- Carbogen containers can explode when heated