Can I Swallow My Tongue? Debunking the Myth

No, you cannot swallow your tongue. This common myth persists, but the truth is that your tongue is anchored to the base of your mouth, which limits its movement.

During events such as seizures, while the throat may retract, other muscles kick in to keep the airway open, preventing the tongue from obstructing breathing.

Tragically, this misconception has resulted in fatalities. A 2025 survey revealed that attempts to stop athletes from “swallowing their tongue” during heart attacks led to death in two-thirds of cases.

In contrast, 74% of individuals will survive a heart attack if they receive defibrillation within 3 minutes.

This article was inspired by the inquiry: “Can I swallow my tongue?” submitted via email by Johnny Norris.

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