POLL: Does bright light help you sneeze?

[f4phantom2500]

It helps me and my father sneeze, so I think it's genetic. I always assumed it worked for everyone but after doing some research it seems that most of the people who don't have it don't even know about it! Apparently, since those of us who do assume everyone else does and those who don't don't know about it nobody ever talks about it so we just don't know lol. If, say, I'm about to lose a sneeze, I can look at a bright light and it sometimes brings it back and lets me sneeze. If the light is sufficiently bright, say if I'm walking out of a pitch black movie theater to outside with the bright sun, I will usually sneeze even if I didn't have to before.

 

[BigJ]

Yep.

Also, I believe the scientific explanation is that the family lines that are influenced by the light were actually once vampires. After successfully killing the vampire that turned the person in the family, the vampirism went away, but there was permanent genetic damage. Hence the partial sensitivity to bright lights, in line with the vampires reaction to UV rays..

 

[eits]

yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.


Look up photic sneeze reflex.

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.


Look up photic sneeze reflex.

Well I do remember them saying that nobody knows definitively why (it's been awhile since I've done the research), but his explanation does sound plausible, considering how vague some of the others are.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.


Look up photic sneeze reflex.

hmm... i guess that could make sense, considering where the nucleus for mechanoreception/proprioception of the trigeminal nerve is in relation to the superior colliculus.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.

Look up photic sneeze reflex.

My dog sneezes if he looks up at the sun. Moron.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.


Look up photic sneeze reflex.

hmm... i guess that could make sense, considering where the nucleus for mechanoreception/proprioception of the trigeminal nerve is in relation to the superior colliculus.

The main argument against the moisture theory is that the reflex happens so damn fast. I know if I come outside into a bright day and glance up at the sun, I'm sneezing as my head is coming back down.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.


Look up photic sneeze reflex.

hmm... i guess that could make sense, considering where the nucleus for mechanoreception/proprioception of the trigeminal nerve is in relation to the superior colliculus.

The main argument against the moisture theory is that the reflex happens so damn fast. I know if I come outside into a bright day and glance up at the sun, I'm sneezing as my head is coming back down.

yeah, but moisture can develop almost instantaneously... not only that, but the receptors in your nose are already at threshhold, so the added moisture will get those sensitized nerve fibers to fire, which could cause the sneeze.

hmm... maybe it's both.

 

[Nohr]

I sneeze twice when I go outside on a sunny day. It's practically guaranteed. While indoors if I need a little help getting a sneeze out I can look at a light fixture or flashlight.

 

[Tommouse]

Happens a lot to me in the winter. White snow, bright sunny day, I walk outside from a normally lit building into this incredible brightness and I normally sneeze.

I like the vampire explanation better

 

[Crucial]

light doesn't do it for me but a strong mint flavor will. Almost every time I eat a piece of mint flavored gum I will sneeze once or twice.

 

[f4phantom2500]

lol, this is pretty funny. In reality about 1/4 people are affected by this and 3/4 aren't, but the poll suggests that 3/4 are and 1/4 aren't. Of course, I think this poll is biased based on the type of person who bothers to answer it (those who do sneeze with bright light), plus our sample's small so far. Part of the reason I put a poll up was to see if the percentage of people in ATOT who sneeze w/ bright light is ~ 1/4.

 

[clamum]

Yep, definitely helps me.

 

[Lumathix]

Yes, it does.
Actually for me it's not bright light really, only bright SUN light.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.


Look up photic sneeze reflex.

hmm... i guess that could make sense, considering where the nucleus for mechanoreception/proprioception of the trigeminal nerve is in relation to the superior colliculus.

The main argument against the moisture theory is that the reflex happens so damn fast. I know if I come outside into a bright day and glance up at the sun, I'm sneezing as my head is coming back down.

yeah, but moisture can develop almost instantaneously... not only that, but the receptors in your nose are already at threshhold, so the added moisture will get those sensitized nerve fibers to fire, which could cause the sneeze.

hmm... maybe it's both.

The moisture in the nose is generated by tears leaking into it via a duct. This is far longer than the time it takes for nerve impulses to transmit.

 

[gooseman]

yes

 

[ntdz]

Weird, I've never noticed this...

 

[BornStar]

I get strange looks when I stare at the lights in the ceiling at work to help me sneeze. If I walk out of a building into bright sunlight I will sneeze exactly 3 times. My dad and my brother both have the exact same thing happen.

 

[Jeff7]

It does it for me. Sometimes even just turning the lights on in the morning does it. I feel my eyes straining first, and then it feels like the "pressure" progresses to my sinuses, and then I sneeze.

I can also make myself sneeze when I need to cough. I find that a good sneeze is more effective than coughing.

Our bodies sure do have some stupid quirks.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500

Originally posted by: eits
yeah... it does it because it causes your eyes to tear up, which causes moisture in your nose which helps irritate the receptors which causes you to sneeze

That's why! I never quite knew why, but I assumed it had something to do with your eyes, since they squint/tear up in both situations. Again, I assumed everyone did it but I did some research (I can find/provide links upon request, but it's not that hard to find yourself), and although it's not uncommon, it's not really the norm either.

I don't think anybody has "proven" why it actually occurs. eits is simply giving one of several theories. The most popular is one that involves a sort of mixed signals with nerves, causing the reaction.


Look up photic sneeze reflex.

hmm... i guess that could make sense, considering where the nucleus for mechanoreception/proprioception of the trigeminal nerve is in relation to the superior colliculus.

The main argument against the moisture theory is that the reflex happens so damn fast. I know if I come outside into a bright day and glance up at the sun, I'm sneezing as my head is coming back down.

yeah, but moisture can develop almost instantaneously... not only that, but the receptors in your nose are already at threshhold, so the added moisture will get those sensitized nerve fibers to fire, which could cause the sneeze.

hmm... maybe it's both.

The moisture in the nose is generated by tears leaking into it via a duct. This is far longer than the time it takes for nerve impulses to transmit.

well, yeah, but looking at a bright light and sneezing isn't instantaneous... there's about a 1-3 second interval between the stimulus and response