Introduction
Have you ever caught someone picking their nose and wondered what they do with the booger they pull out? Sometimes, people eat them. Yes, it’s gross, but it’s also a behavior that some people engage in regularly. In this article, we will explore what happens if you eat boogers every day. We will explain the scientific reason behind booger-eating, discuss the potential health impact of this behavior, and explore tips to help break the habit.
The Scientific Reason behind Booger-Eating
Believe it or not, there may be a scientific reason that some people eat their own boogers. Boogers, also known as nasal mucus, are made up of a combination of water, proteins, and other organic compounds. In small amounts, they can be beneficial for the immune system. Mucus can trap dirt, dust, and other harmful particles that we breathe in. The little hairs in our nose, known as cilia, then move the mucus and trapped particles towards the front of our nose where we can blow them out or wipe them away.
However, some people may have a compulsion to eat their own boogers. This behavior is sometimes called mucophagy. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including boredom, stress, anxiety, or even just the feeling of relief that comes from clearing out your nose. It’s not clear why some people find it satisfying to eat their own boogers, but it’s important to note that this is not a behavior that everyone engages in.
Despite the potential benefits of mucus, there are some potential health consequences of eating boogers. For one thing, it can introduce new bacteria into the body, putting someone at risk for developing infections. Additionally, some people may experience digestive issues or weakened immune systems that can make them more susceptible to illness.
Signs of a Booger-Eating Disorder
While most people might try booger-eating once or twice out of curiosity or boredom, for others, it can become a full-blown disorder. Though it’s not uncommon behavior in children, adults who continue to eat their boogers may be experiencing something more serious.
While there is no official diagnosis for a booger-eating disorder, compulsive booger-eating could be a sign of an underlying mental health issue. Some possible indicators include constantly picking their nose, avoiding social situations, anxious behavior, and even depression. These are all signs that should not be ignored. Counseling or therapy may be the solution to help address the underlying psychological condition.
Consequences of Eating Boogers
Eating your boogers could lead to potential health risks. For one, it could introduce bacteria into your body that leads to infections like strep throat or even pneumonia. Furthermore, constantly picking your nose and eating the resulting boogers can lead to a weakened immune system. This means that you’re more susceptible to getting sick and may take longer to recover from illnesses. Infrequent hand washing also exposes one to germs and infection.
Prolonged booger-eating could lead to digestive issues, such as increased inflammation, unbalanced gut bacteria, and even diarrhea. There is also the risk of the formation of rhinoliths, which are stones that form within the nasal passage. They can cause nasal blockages, pain, and inflammation and need to be removed by a medical doctor.
Why Do Some People Love Eating Boogers?
It may be hard to understand why someone would dine on such unappetizing fare, but studies suggest that cultural and societal factors, age, gender, and even location can influence the behavior. Some people may have had the habit passed down from previous generations. Children may pick up this behavior from seeing other children do it, or just trying it out of curiosity.
Psychological factors may also play a part in the attraction to boogers. It could be a form of self-soothing or an oral fixation that has psychological roots. Others could just find the taste appealing.
Tips to Help Stop Eating Boogers
Breaking a habit like this may not be easy. However, here are some tips that may help:
- Keep your hands busy – If you tend to pick your nose without even realizing it, try keeping your fingers busy doing something else like typing or playing with a stress ball.
- Use tissues – Train yourself to reach for tissues instead of your fingers when you feel the urge. Keep tissues with you at all times, particularly when traveling or attending social events.
- Practice good hygiene – Washing your hands and face daily and covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing can help reduce the presence of germs that can otherwise tempt you to eat your boogers
- Avoid high-nose-pick situations – High-nose-pick situations such as when you have cold or allergies can lead to increased booger production, making more of it available to satisfy your habit thus increasing temptation for mucophagy. Keep tissues close instead and wash your face regularly.
- Seek professional help – If the urge is too strong, you may want to seek help from a mental health professional who can help you understand and tackle the psychological root of your booger-eating habit.
Conclusion
Eating boogers might seem like a harmless habit, but it can have serious health implications, particularly in case of compulsive and frequent intake. There is also a risk of social challenges, particularly if the behavior is viewed as unwelcome or disgusting.
It’s important to understand why you might be doing it, and as a first step towards preventing the behavior, consider adopting new habits that satisfy the same impulses without posing health risks. Keeping your hands busy and using tissues, especially during the day, can be good preventive practices. If all else fails, you can reach out to a therapist to help you stop.
Breaking yourself of the habit may take a bit of work, but it’s worth it for both your physical and mental well-being.
