We all sneeze in our life time. Sneezing is the body's natural reflex to clear the nasal passages of irritants, protecting the respiratory system from foreign particles like dust, pollen, bacteria, or viruses. When these particles tickle the nasal lining, nerves send signals to the brainstem, which triggers a forceful contraction of the chest, throat, and abdominal muscles to expel air.
One thing I have heard over the years are lots of myths about sneezing.
Sneezing Myths I have Tested:
- I had always heard that getting pepper in your nose would make you sneeze. FALSE. Contrary to what you see in Bugs Bunny cartoons, this doesn't work. I personally snorted some pepper yesterday and nothing happened. A little burning maybe, but no sneeze.
- Another sneezing myth that I have busted. So called experts have always said you can't sneeze and keep your eyes open. If you did your eyes would pop out due to the 100 mph of force from the sneeze. FALSE. Just 2 hours ago I was able to sneeze and keep my left eye open. Although it did hurt a little bit, my eye definitely did not pop out.
Sneezing Myths the Experts Talk About:
- A sneeze is just a little air is the myth. The fact is a sneeze can propel mucus and air at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour (or more)
- Myth: Sneezing only happens when you are sick. Fact: Sneezing is a defense mechanism triggered by irritants like dust, pollen, pepper, or bright light.
- Myth: You never sneeze while asleep. Fact: It is very rare to sneeze in your sleep because the nerves that trigger the reflex are relaxed, but it is not completely impossible.
- Myth: Your heart stops beating when you sneeze. Fact: A sneeze can alter the chest pressure and blood flow, which may temporarily change your heart rhythm, but it does not actually stop.
Superstitions about sneezing:
- Talking About You: A common belief is that if you sneeze, someone is talking about you or spreading rumors.
- Omens: In some cultures, one sneeze is good luck, while two mean bad luck.
- Why We Say "Bless You": This originated from the belief that a sneeze could expel the soul from the body or that it allowed evil spirits to enter, Library of Congress explains.
So there you go. A little more about sneezing than you probably wanted to know. I will leave you with a stupid sneezing joke:
What's made of leather and sounds like a sneeze? .......................... A Shoe!
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