ELI5: why are we forced to breathe consciously after realizing we are breathing?

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ELI5: why are we forced to breathe consciously after realizing we are breathing?

Comments

  1. Ambitious_Toe_4357 Avatar

    You don’t need to breathe consciously. What happens when you consciously hold your breath? You will be unable to control your breathing when your body needs to breathe. If not, holding your breath would be a lot more dangerous.

    I believe opiates cause people to stop their breathing reflex.

  2. BooksandBiceps Avatar

    You’re not forced. You’re either aware of your breathing, where you suddenly can control it, or decide to breathe consciously.

    If your car is on autopilot and you suddenly put hands on the wheel, you have the power to drive it which you didn’t before, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to start turning the wheel of your own accord.