What is the science behind stopping a sneeze by stimulating the roof of your mouth with your tongue?

That familiar tingling sensation signals an impending sneeze. You might briefly consider suppressing it, but the overwhelming urge takes over. Achoo! This natural reflex is your body's way of expelling irritants from your airways, propelling them at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour) [source: Hadhazy].

Every sneeze begins with an irritating tickle, not the kind that makes you laugh. This sensation arises when nasal cilia trap dust and other particles, stimulating the trigeminal nerve. This nerve alerts the lateral medulla — the brain region managing pain, temperature, swallowing, and gagging — to trigger a sneeze, expelling the intruders. Known scientifically as sternutation, this process is well-documented [sources: Encyclopedia Britannica, MedicineNet].

Can you interrupt the sensation and stop a sneeze? Numerous folk remedies claim to halt sneezes, from pinching your upper lip to stimulating your palate with your tongue.

While it's still unclear whether pressing your tongue against the upper palate can prevent a sneeze, the idea might have merit. Many people swear by this method, even though it hasn't been scientifically validated.

If stimulating the roof of your mouth with your tongue can indeed stop a sneeze, how does it work? The answer might lie in sensory overload. Interrupting a sneeze, whether by tongue stimulation, pinching your nose, or other means, sends conflicting signals to the brain. This could overwhelm your neural pathways, effectively blocking the sneeze.

If tongue stimulation fails to stop your sneeze, try placing a finger under your nose or practicing deep breathing. Breathing through your mouth can lessen nasal cilia stimulation, potentially preventing the sneeze altogether [source: Hadhazy].