Photic Sneeze Reflex
When I heard about the photic sneeze reflex when I was in medical school, I was pretty sure that I had it. It has been reported to affect about one quarter of the world’s population and it is simply a reflex that makes you sneeze when you look at the sun or a bright light. The reasons for it occurring are not known.
We have had sunshine every day so far here in Botswana. We are in the dry season, so there hasn’t even been a drop of rain and there have been very few moments when we have even been able to see a hint of a cloud in the sky.
As a result, it now seems like every time I go outside during the day, the bright sun hits my eye, and I let out a loud “achoo”! There is now no doubt in my mind that I am included in the 25%.
For more info on the Photic Sneeze Reflex, a good start is here.
Meredith 8:41 pm on 8/27/2011 Permalink
I’ve been a card carrying member for years
Martin 4:32 am on 8/31/2011 Permalink
Always good to hear the experience of another photic sneezer ! It seems that 25% of the population affected is an overestimation.
A very interesting interview with Lous Ptacek, one of the few researchers actually engaged in studying this rather marginal trait, says that the actual percentage of the population affected is not known, but he puts it at around 10%
Here is the podcast from last year:
http://www.diffusionradio.com/2010/08/photic_sneezing_and_a_naked_sc.html