Canadian biochemistry professor Scott Napper thinks that the bacteria and other pathogens trapped in bogies may well help build up the immune system, kind of like a natural vaccination. Inserting some of the tiny foes of the world into our system allows good old antibodies to be primed and ready if a real attack were to happen. Napper argues that it’s more natural to eat bogies than it is not to eat bogies. Maybe that’s why kids have to be well and truly smacked out of the habit early on. It just comes naturally. You don’t see kids over the age of five eating ear wax, you don’t see them picking and eating sleep from their eyes. They eat bogies. That sweet, sweet taste of mucous makes it feel and taste so very, very right.
The opposite argument (which I’m only including out of politeness) says that because we are constantly swallowing mucus anyway without knowing it, that a small amount from face mining won’t really make much difference. Personally, and I’m no expert in the field, but I reckon the bits you pick out are the bits that are right at the front where the majority of the pathogens will hit, so it’s like ultra-mucus. Maybe not, but as that famous supermarket div says: every little helps.
I plan to continue.
LATE EDITION: I’ve stuck this bit on the end so that the Mums of America don’t hunt me down and slaughter me: picking your nose for long periods of time or with too much vigour can lead to bleeding, infections and septal perforations blah, blah and blah some more. EAT IT.
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