The only physiological response in a human body that cannot voluntarily stop once it has started apart from orgasms is a sneeze

The Uncontrollable Physiological Response: Sneezing

Sneezing is a widely recognized physiological response and is typically triggered by irritants in the nasal cavity. Whether it is due to allergies, colds, or an unexpected tickle, sneezing is something that we just can’t control. Surprisingly, sneezing is not the only response that we lack control over. In fact, there is another physiological response in our bodies that once initiated, cannot be voluntarily stopped - apart from sneezing. This intriguing fact raises questions about why our bodies have evolved in such a way and what other responses are similar to sneezing in this regard.

Contrary to popular belief, sneezing is not the only uncontrollable bodily response. The human body experiences numerous physiological reactions beyond our voluntary control. However, most of these reactions can be voluntarily stopped or controlled to some extent, except for one - sneezing! Once a sneeze is triggered, there is simply no way to halt the response midway.

The sneezing reflex is an integral part of our immune system, designed to protect the delicate respiratory system from potentially harmful substances. It is our body’s way of forcefully expelling irritants, such as pollen, dust, or even bacteria, to keep our airways clear. During a sneeze, many muscles contract simultaneously, resulting in a sudden release of air through the nose and mouth at high speed.

Now, let’s delve deeper into why our body has evolved in a way that allows certain physiological responses to be voluntarily controlled, while others remain beyond our conscious reach. Our bodies possess an intricate autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates involuntary actions like heartbeat, digestion, and even sexual arousal. This system is divided into two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic.

The parasympathetic branch primarily takes control of “rest and digest” activities, where our bodies can consciously exert some influence. For example, we can control our breathing rate or digestion to a certain extent. On the other hand, the sympathetic branch is responsible for the “fight or flight” response, which activates during stressful situations, and its actions are mostly beyond conscious control.

Sneezing, being part of our immune response, is regulated by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Hence, the reason why we cannot voluntarily stop a sneeze in the same way we can control our breathing or digestion. This involuntary reflex is essential for removing potentially harmful intruders from our respiratory system promptly.

It is interesting to note that apart from sneezing, there is another physiological response that shares this uncontrollable trait - orgasms. Yes, orgasms are another bodily function that, once initiated, cannot be voluntarily halted. Just like sneezing, an orgasm is a reflexive response that involves an intricate interplay of various muscles and nerves. However, while sneezing is a response of the sympathetic branch, orgasms are triggered by the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.

In conclusion, sneezing and orgasms are the only two physiological responses in the human body, apart from each other, that cannot be voluntarily stopped once they have started. Sneezing, being a part of our immune response, is regulated by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, while orgasms are governed by the parasympathetic branch. Understanding these unique involuntary responses contributes to our knowledge of the complexity and intricacies of the human body’s functions.

Source: The Irish Times - When Sex Brings on a Desire to Sneeze, Not Snooze