Why you don't think when you blink

Why you don't think when you blink

Evening News
Mon 25 Jul 2005

Parts of the brain are temporarily "switched off" when we blink, scientists said today.

Researchers from University College London found that the brain actively shuts down parts of the visual system every time we blink - even if light is still entering the eyes. This could explain why people do not notice their own blinking.

Davina Bristow, from UCL's Institute of Neurology, said: "Blinking is necessary in order to keep the surfaces of the eyes moist.

"People blink around 15 times a minute and a blink lasts 100-150 milliseconds, which means that overall we spend at least nine days per year blinking."

Source[/color]