In... and out...
Often in TV, a character who is panicking will be shown inhaling and exhaling into a paper bag to calm down. In milder examples, it can be used to cure hiccups. Actually
Truth in Television, as breathing into a paper bag is a good way to reduce the symptoms of hyperventilation
* Hyperventilating causes you to lose carbondioxide too quickly, causing dizziness and fainting. The bag helps you retain it.
, according to
The Other Wiki. However, one should
never use a plastic bag for this, because suffocation
will ensue.
Examples:
Anime and Manga
- In the manga adaptation of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Shinji has a panic attack and Kaworu, not being able to find a paper bag, kisses him.
Live-Action TV
- Happens in one episode of Perfect Strangers.
- Josie Gibson, a contestant on Big Brother, did this once.
- Rachel is show breathing into a paper bag during the Friends pilot.
- Also happens to Janice in another episode.
- In one of the many flashbacks on Lost, Hurley is seen breathing into a Mr. Clucks bag in a parking lot.
- On one episode of Diff'rent Strokes, Adelaide the housekeeper uses a paper bag to ward off an epileptic seizure.
Film
Western Animation
