Ever wondered how helium actually works? Why does it have that comical high-pitched effect on our voices?

Our voices are incredibly distinctive, created by vibrations in our voice boxes at unique frequencies. These frequencies start off consistent, but this changes, so when helium is introduced, being lighter than air it can affect these frequencies. It speeds up the frequencies, which raises pitch – just like when you fast forward a TV show and the voices get higher.

You can also inhale gases that make your voice lower by slowing the frequency of your voice – just be wary, inhaling anything other than air can be dangerous! So have fun, but be safe.