Submitted by Bartendiesthrowaway t3_zu57vb in askscience
NegativelyMagnetic t1_j1k0pm8 wrote
Reply to comment by przyssawka in What specifically about ginger/menthol/wasabi causes one's sinuses to open? by Bartendiesthrowaway
Yup, I'll just add that there's a lot of ways to clear other breathing issues beyond sinuses
Oxymetazoline is a general long-acting decongestant / vasoconstrictor for general sinuses or stuffy nose; fluticasone is a long acting mild glucocorticoid for allergies and mild asthma by opening up the brancioles in the lungs by reducing inflammation, as well puffers like salbutamol and ipratropium for short term asthma attacks and mildly low spo2 levels (+ used secondary for many issues beyond just asthma attacks)
The issue with methanol by itself is that, while it might alleviate the sensation, if your airway is significantly compromised its not going to do anything about low spo2 levels. But it's great for mild sinuses since it provides a bit of immediate relief. It's very often added to other decongestants that takes longer to start working for the same reason. Another alalogy is how people find it easier to breathe in colder air, especially during hot summer days
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