Disturbing simulation shows what happens to your head if you end up in space without a suit

Now, we all know that we’d be pretty much toast if we were to be exposed in space without a spacesuit on… but how exactly would our bodies react to the sudden lack of gravity, oxygen and atmospheric pressure?

Shared on YouTube by Zack D. Films, the video gives a gruesome yet fascinating insight into the human body’s response to the extreme conditions of space – and it’s not pretty.

(NASA/Space Frontiers/Getty Images)

In the simulation, the animated man’s head is exposed to the vacuum of of space, where there’s no atmospheric pressure to keep bodily fluids and gases in check.

The video graphically depicts a sudden swelling, discolouration, and eventually what looks like an explosive release of pressure. It’s both horrifying and mesmerising, like watching a sci-fi nightmare unfold in real life.

Without a spacesuit, the human body is entirely unequipped to handle the vacuum of space.

The lack of pressure causes body fluids like blood and saliva to boil at normal body temperature in a process called ebullism. While this doesn’t mean your blood will reach boiling point like a pot of tea, the vaporisation can cause tissues to swell dramatically.

The simulation shows this swelling in gruesome detail, with the head puffing up grotesquely as gases expand. Your eyes, skin and internal organs are also at risk of severe damage, all within seconds of exposure.

Your lungs would essentially shrivel if exposed to outer space (YouTube/@‌zackdfilms)

Add to that the freezing cold of space (or burning heat, depending on proximity to the sun), and it’s clear you wouldn’t last long.

According to NASA, you’d lose consciousness in about 15 seconds due to oxygen deprivation, and within a couple of minutes, the outcome would be fatal.

Despite the dramatics of the simulation, experts say your head wouldn’t actually ‘explode’ in space.

Instead, you’d experience extreme swelling as gases and fluids expand. The visual in the video is likely an exaggerated representation to drive the point home – and it certainly does.

Dr. Kevin Fong, a space medicine expert, explains: “Your body is resilient in many ways, but the vacuum of space overwhelms our natural defenses. Swelling, unconsciousness, and organ failure would occur rapidly.”

The simulation underscores the importance of spacesuits for astronauts. These suits are designed to maintain internal pressure, regulate temperature, and supply oxygen, effectively keeping the body’s delicate systems intact.

Without them, even a brief exposure to space could cause catastrophic damage.

In fact, NASA astronauts undergo rigorous training to prepare for emergencies like a breach in their suit, though modern designs make such incidents extremely rare.

The simulation might be terrifying, but it also highlights the incredible challenges of venturing into space. From Hollywood depictions to scientific discussions, the risks of space exploration are no joke.

So, the next time you fantasise about becoming an astronaut, remember this simulation…