[SCRAPING]
[SNEEZE]
LEAH: Sneezing, it's
your nose's reflex to something
that's irritating.
NOAH: I guess you can say
when it comes to sneezes,
your nose knows what it's doing.
[LAUGHTER]
LEAH: But do you ever
wonder if a sneeze can kill you?
NOAH: When your nose senses
a tickle, a message is sent
to the part of the brain called
the sneeze center.
The brain then signals
the muscles in your body to act.
LEAH: First, you take
a deep breath and hold it, which
tightens the muscles.
NOAH: The pressure
of the air in your lungs
increases.
You close your eyes and mouth.
LEAH: And then, ah-choo.
An air, saliva, and mucus mist
violently sprays out
of your mouth and nose
at speeds of up to 100 miles
an hour.
NOAH: And can spread out
in a very gross five-foot
radius.
LEAH: But can a sneeze kill
you?
NOAH: Well, the changing
pressure in your chest
also changes your blood flow,
which may change the rhythm
of your heartbeat,
causing the sensation
of your heart to feel like it's
skipping a beat.
[TICKING]
LEAH: Sounds like a recipe
for death.
NOAH: No, no, no death.
The heart keeps on ticking.
A sneeze cannot kill you.
LEAH: It was almost
the perfect crime.
[DING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
