How do paper bags help with panic attacks?

rebreathing exhaled, carbon dioxide-rich air will raise carbon dioxide levels in the blood and stop the panic attack.

Actually they don't, because breathing to the paper bag while panic attack can worsen the symptoms..

Panick attacks can lead us to breathe faster and harder than normal. We may begin to hyperventilate. Hyperventilation is caused by too much O2 and breathing into a bag lowers the concentration by increasing the amount of C02 inhaled.

When people have panic attacks, they tend to focus a lot on their internal physiology (i.e., heart beating too fast, sweating, etc). Therefore, by having a paper bag and you do deep breathing exercise (inhale ---- exhale) with it, you would turn your focus to the paper bag, and in turn, your mind would comprehend that you're in charge of your body because you are the one controlling your breathing pattern and it's clear from the change from the paper bag.

People who are having panic attacks are sometimes hyperventilating and what the paper bag does is when you release the carbon dioxide when you exhale, it gets trapped into the paper bag and you breathe the carbon dioxide in again in hopes to bring your PH levels down. I would not suggest this as a main remedy for a panic attack.

When we have panic attacks, our levels of carbon dioxide drop. By breathing into a paper bag we are trapping the carbon dioxide and therefore breathing it back in.

Paper bags are used to regulate the breathing pattern of those in the midst of a panic attack. They can be lifesavers!

While panic attacks might mimic the symptoms of heart attacks, they can be caused by several other problems and medical conditions. These include feeling stressed or facing medical conditions such as asthma attacks, hyperventilation syndrome or even respiratory alkalosis. Although the common causes may differ, common symptoms include chest pain. Deep breathing through the mouth or by using a brown paper bag has its benefits, as it aids in restoration of the loss of carbon dioxide in the blood during the panic attack. During a panic attack, we tend to hyperventilate - so a paper or plastic bag helps to restore the carbon levels, allowing us to regain a sense and feeling of calm. If panic attacks occur too often or tend to interfere with daily functioning, seeking help and other treatment options may be suitable.

Panic attacks can cause hyperventilation which means you are removing too much carbon dioxide. Breathing into a paper bag forced you to re-inhale the carbon dioxide that you have blown out so you don't lose too much.

Uhm i think it varies from one person to the next. Snacking, music, running. Any distraction can help a panic attack