14 bizarre bodily functions you just cannot control

Your body is a hotbed of activity for all sorts of microscopic creatures. But never fear: Some of these “bugs” are actually good guys. “There are more than one trillion bacteria in the skin, originating from roughly one thousand different species,” Dr Bowe says. “Through their sheer strength in numbers, these friendly microbes can stop the advance of bad bugs, preventing an invasion and staving off skin infections.” When in balance, our skin’s “microbiome” is actually the key to a healthy complexion – and these good bugs work inside the body, too. “We want to try to get more probiotics into our diets, to help nourish the good bugs in our guts,” Dr Bowe says.

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Have you ever imagined shouting out in church, swerving your car, or pushing someone in front of a train? You’re not alone. “Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts or images that seem to pop into our minds against our wishes, and often focus on the thing that would be most inappropriate in a setting or the thing that we most fear,” says Hannah Reese, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology. “For this reason, they are usually upsetting or distressing to the person having the thought.” The problem is not actually having the thought, but that as soon as we try not to think about it, our mind starts monitoring whether or not we are thinking about it, which actually makes the thoughts happen more frequently, she says. “So, when we experience an intrusive thought, it is best to recognise it for what it is, not take it seriously, and let it fade away on its own,” Dr Reese says. If you find yourself unable to do this, you could consider seeing a psychologist.

Speaking of weird images, no doubt you’ve experienced a bizarre dream or two. Scientists still haven’t been able to explain the purpose of these strange reveries, but there are many theories. Here’s one theory that sleep expert Richard Shane, PhD, subscribes to: “Dreams are an expanded state of consciousness, beyond the limits of our usual linear thinking, so they can help loosen the constriction and excess control in thoughts, emotions and body that builds up during the day,” he says. “That is a source of rejuvenation and the restful quality we get from sleep.”

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You know the feeling: You’re about to fall asleep when suddenly your whole body twitches. This “hypnic jerk” or “sleep start” might even be accompanied by a feeling of falling. According to the National Sleep Foundation, up to 70 percent of people sometimes have them. They’re nothing to worry about – although scientists don’t know exactly why they happen. Hypnic jerks are likely caused by a natural down-regulation of your body that may be misinterpreted by the brain as a reason for concern. “We often hold tension in our muscles from stress during the day,” Dr Shane says. “When we begin to relax on the way to sleep, sometimes that tension releases as a jerk.”

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It’s hardly pleasant to think about, but snot is always sliding down your throat. Mucus is crucial in keeping your body healthy, according to research in Current Biology. “Mucus helps protect very important passages in the body such as the nose, throat, lungs and the digestive tract,” Dr Khan says. “It helps keep these passages well-moistened and prevents unwanted organisms from entering.” How much of this slippery substance do we create? “Humans produce about a litre of mucus a day,” Dr Khan says.

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Source: RD.com