What effect does hyperventilation have on blood carbon dioxide levels?

Hyperventilation leads to an increase in the rate and depth of breathing, resulting in more carbon dioxide being exhaled from the lungs than the body can produce. This excessive loss of carbon dioxide can significantly decrease its levels in the blood, a condition known as hypocapnia. As carbon dioxide levels drop, the body's normal pH balance can be disrupted, often leading to respiratory alkalosis. This physiological response occurs because carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in the regulation of acid-base balance in the body; therefore, hyperventilation effectively reduces carbon dioxide levels when it is sustained.