How Much Spiders Do You Eat in Your Sleep?
WouterThe number of spiders you eat in your sleep is a matter of debate. There is no hard data compiled, but the consensus seems to be that the average human swallows about four live spiders per year.
However, there is an urban legend that claims that the average person swallows about eight spiders in their sleep each year. This myth reportedly started as a rumor, but spread to the internet through email chains.
It is actually a tad difficult to come by solid proof of this claim. Spiders are known to be choking hazards. Even if you swallow one, there is no guarantee it will remain in your system for long.
Several experts have weighed in on the question of how much spiders you eat in your sleep. Some suggest that you could swallow three or four, while others say you’ll only eat a dozen or so. As a general rule, you’ll swallow less during the deep stages of your sleep than during the light stages.
What do you think? Aside from the obvious answer, you’ll have to wait for someone to do a test to see. You might also have to pay close attention to the way you’re breathing. If you’re shallow breathing, you’re more likely to cause a spider to run away.
That said, it’s not surprising that people still believe the myth. They can’t help but want to believe in something that’s more than just the most common sense.
