Credits: Social Media
Neuroscientist explains new way of stopping hiccups in just two steps
Neuroscientist and podcaster Dr Andrew Huberman has revealed a new way to stop hiccups that takes just two steps and has left social media in awe.
While theyre often harmless, hiccups can still be incredibly annoying and sometimes even painful, resulting in people trying to stop them with old wives tales such as drinking water from the wrong side of the glass or receiving a sudden shock.
Neuroscientist explains new way of stopping hiccups
Dr Andrew Huberman, a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine and host of the incredibly popular Huberman Lab podcast has recently revealed a new method to reliably eliminate hiccups.
In a video posted to his various social media channels, including YouTube Shorts, Huberman explains that the technique hyper-contracts the phrenic nerve – which runs from the neck down through the body to the diaphragm – so that it subsequently relaxes or alleviates the spasming of the phrenic nerve which is what causes hiccups.
The simple method involves inhaling deeply through the nose three times in a row, filling the lungs as much as possible each time, without exhaling in between.
After the third inhale, hold your breath for between 15 and 20 seconds before slowly exhaling through the mouth.
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Social media reacts
The response to Hubermans video has been overwhelmingly positive, with countless comments from viewers who have been helped by the technique.
One commenter on YouTube wrote: Crazy! This helped me first try!! Im actually in awe!!
While a second said: Two hours of hiccups finished with this in first attempt. Brilliant.
A method that actually worked and didnt require water, THANK YOU, commented another.
This viewer said: I stopped hiccupping. I couldn’t sleep, it’s literally 4 am, thank you so much.
And finally, this fan joked: It takes longer to watch the video than it takes to eliminate the hiccup!
Other possible ways to stop hiccups
If youre currently suffering from hiccups and the above method did not work, MedlinePlus recommends trying any of the following techniques:
- Breathing into a paper bag
- Drinking or sipping a glass of cold water
- Holding your breath
- Gargling with ice water
The UKs NHS also suggests several of these methods but also recommends a number of others:
- Pull your knees up to your chest and lean forward
- Swallow some granulated sugar
- Bite on a lemon or taste vinegar
If you continue to suffer from hiccups for more than 48 hours, it may be the result of a medical condition or a side effect of medication youre taking. Both of the websites above recommend contacting your healthcare provider if this is the case.
