Sneezing is something we all do, but most people don’t really know what’s going on when it happens. It’s more than just an “achoo”—it’s actually your body’s natural defense mechanism, designed to protect your respiratory system from irritants.
When something irritating like dust, pollen, smoke, strong perfume, or even a sudden change in temperature enters your nose, the sensitive lining of your nasal passages gets triggered. In response, your brain sends a signal to expel the irritant, and this results in a powerful burst of air: a sneeze.
This reflex involves multiple parts of your body your lungs fill with air, your chest muscles tighten, your throat closes, and then boom! The air is released through your nose and mouth at speeds that can reach up to 100 miles per hour.
But there’s more sneezing also clears out germs and mucus, helping to prevent infection. That’s why it’s important to sneeze into your elbow or a tissue to avoid spreading bacteria or viruses to others.
Also, contrary to popular belief, your heart doesn’t stop when you sneeze it may slow down slightly due to pressure changes, but it definitely keeps beating.
So next time you sneeze, remember it’s your body doing a quick, powerful clean-up job.