Our brains are incredibly good at sensing CO2, because it’s what drives respiration. The “my lungs are burning and I must breath” signal is actually caused by

Our brains are incredibly good at sensing CO2, because it’s what drives respiration. The “my lungs are burning and I must breath” signal is actually caused by high co2. We can’t perceive blood oxygen levels at all. This is actually something hospitals have to be aware of. A tiny sliver of the population (1-10000, maybe) have greatly reduced sensation of co2, so can literally stop breathing (while awake!) if placed on high flow 100% oxygen.