How does hyperventilating cause you to stop breathing?

Hyperventilating leads to an excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body, resulting in a condition called respiratory alkalosis. This imbalance in blood pH can cause symptoms like lightheadedness, tingling, and a feeling of suffocation, which may trigger the body to involuntarily stop breathing as a protective response. Additionally, the hyperventilation can induce anxiety, further disrupting the normal respiratory pattern. Thus, the combination of physiological and psychological factors can lead to a temporary cessation of breath.