Reflex I just found out about.

This morning I realised I have a reflex that I never...well, realised I had before. Think knee-jerk when your knee is it hit - kind of reflex.

Try this and see if it works for you:
Breath in and hold your breath without breathing out for 10 seconds. Nothing right? Everything is normal. Good.
Next time you shower do the same thing. Should get the same result.
Now do it with water from the shower running down your face. I couldn't do it without swallowing! I was maybe able to resist it for maybe 4 seconds, but not much longer than that.

I'm sure I've always "known" about it, but never took note of it until this morning - because I have a sore throat, so I noticed the pain when swallowing.

Does anyone know if this reflex has a name or why we have it (any evolutional advantages - like rubbing a baby's cheek will get them to open their mouths for feeding).

Thanks for amusing me.

I just tried it, and I have the reflex too

I can make it to 8 seconds without breathing out or swallowing while the water is hitting my face, but it's a struggle. I would guess that it's useful for drowning prevention, somehow, but that's just a guess.

reply to post by americandingbat


Awesome...glad I'm not the only one. I can't find the link now, but earlier I came across a page where a parent was asking how to get a baby to eat food. Someone else posted saying to blow into the baby's face - this will trigger a swallowing response. Guess it's something we don't lose from childhood.