How Studying Elephant Seals Could Treat Heart Attacks

The video explores the role of carbon monoxide in both humans and elephant seals. While carbon monoxide is harmful to humans, causing issues like headaches and dizziness, elephant seals naturally have high levels of it, which may protect them from reoxygenation injuries. These seals are extreme divers, holding their breath for long periods, which could lead to such injuries. However, their high carbon monoxide levels seem to prevent this damage. Understanding this mechanism could lead to therapeutic uses of carbon monoxide in humans, particularly for heart attacks, strokes, and organ transplants.

In what ways does carbon monoxide appear to protect elephant seals during their extreme diving activities?

What are reoxygenation injuries, and how might carbon monoxide help prevent them?