A single sneeze can travel at 100 miles per hour and release 100,000 droplets.

A sneeze starts when the trigeminal nerve in your nose detects an irritant. This nerve sends a signal to your brain to trigger a reflex. Your body then coordinates several muscles to push air out of your lungs very quickly. This process is called sternutation.In 2014, Dr. Lydia Bourouiba at MIT used high-speed cameras to study sneezes. She found that sneezes create a cloud of gas that keeps droplets in the air. The air can move at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. This speed helps the body eject up to 100,000 tiny drops of mucus.Large droplets usually fall to the ground within 6 feet. However, the smallest droplets can travel up to 26 feet. Your eyes close automatically during a sneeze to protect them from the spray. This reflex is controlled by a part of the brain called the medulla oblongata.The pressure inside your chest changes during a sneeze. This can briefly change your heart's rhythm, but your heart does not stop. The force is so strong that it can rarely cause a rib to crack. Sneezing is a vital way for your body to defend your respiratory system.