I noticed this effect really strongly at university. There was one particular lecture hall that was effectively buried in the side of a hill; I can't count how many times I had an early afternoon lecture in there (so it had been in use since 8am), where I just could not focus or stay awake. Assuming sleep deprivation was the problem, afterwards I'd head out and lie down on a bench to take a nap, only to find myself wide awake. I have no trouble taking cat-naps when I'm actually tired, leading me to eventually conclude it was CO2 / O2 in the room that was the culprit.

A lot of CO2 is bad for thinking.

CO2 is just a tip as office or home is toxic environment anyway. Plastic (e.g. carpets), formaldehyde in furniture, air fresheners… add home office and cooking at home (-> small carcinogenic particles)…

If you start reading How not to die by Michael Greger, you find out that dust, soda and sitting - not CO2 - are real killers…

It's similar to how people think sharks and airplanes are the biggest killers - when in reality it is coconuts, mosquitoes, and motorcycles.

A reasonably popular brand's product that uses an NDIR sensor revealed to me just how much the CO2 level increases each night in my two bedrooms.

One of them seems to have much worse ventilation to the extent that it reaches double the level. Opening the window slightly 24/7 keeps it low.

My fiance's chronic headaches/migraines/idk became noticeably less frequent after this change and when they do occur it's usually because the window was accidentally left closed.

Anybody who struggles with this kind of thing might want to try checking their levels. Or just open a window I guess?

Indoor air quality improvements were one of my “pandemic sourdough” activities.

After testing a variety of AQI sensors, I ended up acquiring multiple Airthings-branded devices.

They provided the best mix of CO2/VOCs/PM sensors in a single device with a decent enough app.

There may be better options now, but I have these at both home and office.

Highly recommend doing the research and learning about the environments you’re in, especially if you have little ones at home.

Edit to add: opening windows is usually the easiest/best solution!

That article's message is spot on.

If your CO2 levels are that high then you should fix the HVAC system and get it up to code or lobby for fixing the code. In many countries, a full air exchange in any office space every X hours is mandatory. In other countries that's optional and they need to get their act together.

My local library displays CO2 level on an inconspicuous wall fixture as part of the HVAC system. If the level gets too high large shutters (near the ceiling) open directly to the outside, supposedly as a failsafe. The head librarian said he's never seen them open in the past dozen years. After 20 years of patronizing this facility I now know a little bit more on its operation.

Can someone provide an explanation why CO2 concentrations above 1000 ppm have such a negative influence given the fact that CO2 concentration in lungs (at rest) never falls below 10000 ppm?

Sherlock Holmes disagrees: "I find that a concentrated atmosphere helps a concentration of thought. I have not pushed it to the length of getting into a box to think, but that is the logical outcome of my convictions."

As other commenters noted, it's more about dirty air than CO2 levels - so, logically, should not be a problem for everyone.

If article is really written by AI though, then what if it's PSYOP? The question to ponder then is: why AI wants low CO2 levels? Maybe, for people like Sherlock Holmes to lose a concentration of thought?

Ugo Bardi has an interesting take on CO2 and intelligence: https://senecaeffect.substack.com/p/a-new-interpretation-of-...

I noticed this when comparing my experience in open offices with lots of airflow to the cramped spaces of our WeWork co-working space. I could feel the difference. Also one time I slept in a small basement room with no ventilation. I woke up at 3am feeling like I couldn't breathe. I opened the door and felt better.