--- title: "Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical…" description: "Elevated indoor CO2 and poor ventilation can affect cognitive function, with pure CO2 impacting decision-making and reduced ventilation slowing cognitive…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.html" type: "study" study_key: "s188" journal: "Indoor Air" year: 2020 pmid: "32557862" doi: "10.1111/ina.12706" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review. [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s188 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Indoor Air | | Year | 2020 | | PMID | [32557862](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32557862/) | | DOI | [10.1111/ina.12706](https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12706) | | Study key | s188 | ## Takeaway Elevated indoor CO2 and poor ventilation can affect cognitive function, with pure CO2 impacting decision-making and reduced ventilation slowing cognitive speed. ## The question What is the current understanding of the relationship between indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function? ## Hypothesis The review does not state a specific hypothesis, but rather aims to summarize existing findings regarding the cognitive impact of CO2. ## Methods This critical review summarized results from 37 experimental studies. These studies used objective cognitive tests and manipulated CO2 concentrations either by adding pure CO2 or by adjusting ventilation rates. A subset of these studies meeting objective criteria for strength and consistency was further analyzed. ## Results Studies with varied designs suggested that both adding pure CO2 and adjusting ventilation rates can affect multiple cognitive functions. In a subset of strong and consistent studies, pure CO2 at common indoor concentrations only affected high-level decision-making in non-specialized populations, as measured by the Strategic Management Simulation battery. Lower ventilation and the accumulation of indoor pollutants, including CO2, were found to reduce the speed of various cognitive functions but did not affect accuracy. ## Conclusion While both pure CO2 and reduced ventilation (with accompanying pollutants) can impact cognitive function, the specific effects differ. Pure CO2 primarily affects high-level decision-making, whereas lower ventilation and pollutant accumulation tend to reduce cognitive speed without affecting accuracy. Inconsistencies in findings highlight the need for more standardized research methods. ## Limitations Major confounding factors in the reviewed studies include variations in cognitive assessment methods, study designs, individual and populational differences among subjects, and uncertainties in exposure doses. ## Verbatim from the abstract > elevated indoor CO2 has been linked with impaired cognitive function ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor | Moderate evidence | [Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/188.md) | ## Reference 1. **Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review.** Indoor Air 2020 · [PMID 32557862](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32557862/) · [DOI 10.1111/ina.12706](https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12706) > elevated indoor CO2 has been linked with impaired cognitive function ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.html","name":"Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review.","description":"Elevated indoor CO2 and poor ventilation can affect cognitive function, with pure CO2 impacting decision-making and reduced ventilation slowing cognitive…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.html#study","name":"Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review.","headline":"Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review.","datePublished":"2020","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Indoor Air"},"identifier":"PMID:32557862","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32557862/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12706","abstract":"Elevated indoor CO2 and poor ventilation can affect cognitive function, with pure CO2 impacting decision-making and reduced ventilation slowing cognitive speed."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/188.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Effects of low-level inhalation exposure to carbon dioxide indoors on human health and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30172928.md) - [Associations between indoor air exposures and cognitive test scores among university…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d40204887.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).