Sneezing at the Sun: The Photic Sneeze Reflex and the Bizarre Cross-Wiring of the Human Nervous System

You step out of a dark movie theater into the bright afternoon sun, and immediately, you sneeze. You don't have a cold, and there is no dust in the air. This bizarre reaction affects up to 35% of the global population. It is scientifically known as the Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst (ACHOO) syndrome, or the photic sneeze reflex. It is a literal cross-wiring glitch in the human nervous system.

This entertaining medical dive explores the fascinating neuroscience behind...