Biology & Physiology
Why Do We Cough?
Coughing is a high-speed airway clearance reflex that can expel air at over 500 miles per hour. It protects your lungs from particles, irritants, and infection.
coughreflex
Biology & Neuroscience
Why Do We Blink?
Blinking lubricates your eyes, clears debris, and may give your brain a brief processing reset. We do it 15 to 20 times per minute without noticing.
blinkingeyes
Biology & Neuroscience
Why Do We Scratch an Itch?
Scratching interrupts itch signals with pain signals and briefly feels satisfying. But it also triggers serotonin release that makes itching worse. Here is the full cycle.
itchscratching