reflections on vomiting
So, thanks to my monogastric nutrition paper in which i am currently studying the digestive systems of cats, dogs and horses, I have a much better understanding of why I can't vomit except under SERIOUS life-threatening conditions, where other people can just put their fingers down their throat and bring it all up.
So I always assumed that the vomit response to consuming something bad came directly from the stomach. Apparently this is not the case at all, and we actually have a "vomit center" in our brains, and so our brains control vomiting ENTIRELY, not our stomachs.
Omnivores and scavengers, like dogs, have a much greater ability to vomit. Dogs have similar diets to humans, and humans can vomit quite easily too. Cats less so, and horses, as they are herbivores and usually don't have much need for it, pretty much don't vomit at all.
I figure, since I am vegetarian, & 4th generation vegetarian at that, my genetics must have reduced my 'gag reflex' significantly, since vegetarians are subject to foodborne illness WAY less than non-vegetarians. Also, because i was vegan for so many years while by brain was still developing, and because my family on both sides don't really drink bugger all alcohol, i was probably genetically programmed to have a small "vomit center" in my brain, especially compared to non-vegetarians of people who's ancesteros consumed a lot of alcohol, and ESPECIALLY compared with people who developed bulima while their brains were still developing.
INteresting. well. to me lol.
So I always assumed that the vomit response to consuming something bad came directly from the stomach. Apparently this is not the case at all, and we actually have a "vomit center" in our brains, and so our brains control vomiting ENTIRELY, not our stomachs.
Omnivores and scavengers, like dogs, have a much greater ability to vomit. Dogs have similar diets to humans, and humans can vomit quite easily too. Cats less so, and horses, as they are herbivores and usually don't have much need for it, pretty much don't vomit at all.
I figure, since I am vegetarian, & 4th generation vegetarian at that, my genetics must have reduced my 'gag reflex' significantly, since vegetarians are subject to foodborne illness WAY less than non-vegetarians. Also, because i was vegan for so many years while by brain was still developing, and because my family on both sides don't really drink bugger all alcohol, i was probably genetically programmed to have a small "vomit center" in my brain, especially compared to non-vegetarians of people who's ancesteros consumed a lot of alcohol, and ESPECIALLY compared with people who developed bulima while their brains were still developing.
INteresting. well. to me lol.