Booger eating is a common nasty habit among kids and adults. This piece focuses on its health implications and more of what experts say concerning picking and eating snots.
Mucophagy is believed to be a subgroup of pica (a disorder in which an individual only craves non food items such as toilet tissues, sand, soap, rocks, mucus etc.) Those who suffer from it, usually fall for the nasty behavior either in private or public.
I once stumbled upon a discussion about the good and bad in picking nose and eating its contents. Surprisingly, those in support of it also pulled handful of scientific reasons to imbibe in this habit. This is shocking, against any cultural issue, it seems this habit needs proper examination.
Below are some of my observations on the unpleasant habit. When I think it’s high time to make the world a mucophagy-free planet, some people say it’s healthy with scientific proofs while others are against it. Where do you belong?
The Good and the Bad
A research from University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon says picking nose and eating boogers isn’t that unhealthy as thought, as it helps build up immunity i.e. pulling out and eating mucus helps in boosting immunity.
Read also: 5 Examples of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy
A leading lung specialist, Dr. Friedrich Bischinger who endorsed the picking of nose and eating of boogers, said:
“With the finger you can get to places you just can’t reach with a handkerchief, keeping your nose far cleaner. And eating the dry remains of what you pull out is a great way of strengthening the body’s immune system.”
“Medically it makes great sense and is a perfectly natural thing to do. In terms of the immune system the nose is a filter in which a great deal of bacteria are collected, and when this mixture arrives in the intestines it works just like a medicine.”
Hence, Dr. Friedrich Bischinger encourages children to pick and eat their boogers. “It is a completely natural response and medically a good idea as well.”
Nosebleeds
Apart from the shame it brings, you are at the risk of nosebleeds as a result of hole dug through your nose, which could lead to anemia.
Blood Pressure
Research says there is high percentage of salt content in the mucus, thus a steady diet of it would create some hypertension issues for whoever is enslaved to it.
Addiction
Starting from finding pleasure in picking nose, one graduates to an intense act involving eating of boogers. Just as the case of one taking alcohol escalates into taking harder drugs. One who sometimes picks and eats boogers is guaranteed to graduate to intense booger-eating, booger raves, and binge boogers.
References: Why most addiction treatments don't work. What is snot? And why do some people eat it? - Boingboing.net Essential Facts about Mucophagy - healthguideinfo Reasons why kids should not eat boogers - ineffableisland
[crp]
well so long as you are not eating dingleberries
Nearly died from laughter.
I nearly died from revulsion and disgust!
What makes you think they’re not? After all it’s an” addiction!”
I am seeing this activity more and more.at first I was shocked. Recently the older woman in the car behind me was eating boogers out of her nose.I was so disgusted.
thank God someone is DISGUSTED by this I have a family member who their son does it and I try to get him tissues even wet tissue like baby wipes bc they are softer in the nose and can get hard to reach area, BUT this kid will literly LIE and say no I don’t need a tissue. some people just aren’t taught manners and I don’t give a crap what doc u are NO IT IS NOT GOOD TO ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO EAT THEIR BOOGERS IS GROSS AND IS DISGUSTING ,YOU MIGHT AS WELL TEACH THEM WO WIPE THEIR BUTT WITH THEIR HAND AND THEB USE IT TO EAT WITH, LUIE COME ON PEOPLE THIS IS COMMEN SENCE HERE IF IT IS APPALLING THEN CHANCES ARE ITS GROSS. SO LETS ALL BE ADULTS GET OFF OUR ASSES AND GET A TISSUE AND IF U DONT LIIE TISSUE BUY BABY WIPES I FIND THEY DONT DRY YOUR NOSE OUT AND ARE SOFT AND WORK BETTER, LETS JUST USE THAT BIG BRAIN OF OURS THAT GOD GAVE US!!! ITS JUST AN EXCUSE TO BE GROSS IF YOUR AN ADULT AND YOU EAT YOUR OWN BOOGERS, AGAIN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!! HAVE A GOOD DAY PEOPLE!!!
oh yes I forgot to mention that sometimes IT IS A DEFICIENCY IN YOUR BODY FOR INSTANCE, LIKE LOW SODIUM, OR VITAMN DEFICIENCY THAT ONE MAY HAVE EVEN AS A CHILD, AGAIN NEED TO HAVE VITAMN CHECK NEED TO HAVE BLOOD DRAWN , AGAIN IF YOU HAVE TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER BC YOU DONT WANR ANYONE TO SEE THEN THAT SHOWS SHAME AND WE LEARN SHAME WHEN WE ARE AROUND 1-4 YEARS OF AGE DURINF POTTY TRAINING IS WHEN WW LEARN SHAME AND IF WE ARE SHAMEFUL WHEN WE DO THESE THING THEN OVBIOUSLY IT IS WRONG BUT YET NOT IN A BAD SENCE BUT MORE A CRY FOR HELP FROM OUR BODY TRYING TO LET US KNOW THAT THEIR IS SOMETHING WRONG , THAT WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION, AND WE HAVE TO BELIVE ALREADY THAT WE DO NOT EAT HEALTHY THAT OUR BODIES ARE SUPPOSE TO BE AKLINE AND WE USULLY EAT ACIDIC SO WE TEND TO STAY DEFICIENT IN MANY WAYS WE ARE MUCH LIKE A CARS MOTOR IF WE DO NOT LIT THE RIGHT FLUIDS IN THE MOTOR CAN BECOME CORRUPT, BUT IF WE KEEP MAINTANCE EVERY MONTH, WE WILL GET MORE PROLONGED LIFE USE OUT OF RHE MOTOR , RIGHT??? RIGHT!!! my point is eat RIGHT AND GO to doc and the craving for boogers should stop. GOOD LUCK, I EVEN TRIED DOING THIS ONCE, WAS APPAULD BY THE THOUGHT BUT TRIED IT JUST TO SEE WHY PEOPLE DO IT AND STILL BOUT PUKED , WHEN I DID IT ,WAS LIKE I WAS ABOUT TO EAT LIKE A DEAD ANIMAL OR SOEMTHING, AGAIN STILL THE TASTE WAS SALTY AND MUCOUSY UHHHHHHHHHHHH GRRRROOOOOOOOSSSSS
HAVE NEBER WILL NEVER DO AGAIN, AGAIN I HAD TO TRY JUST TO SEE WHAT THE BIG DEAL WAS ABOUT IT, BUT I DEAL WITH OCD SO MANY THINGS I FIND APPULAING
Your nose is attached to your mouth. I can only imagine how much your family awaits your insight during the holidays. Guessing evolution isn’t on the radar.
As a booger eater I can voice that it is highly addicting. I’m trying to stop but I do it sometimes without thinking about it. I’ve done it since I can remember. I’m a young adult and I’m finding that its rather embarrassing that I have to check my shoulder after picking just to see if anyone’s watching so I can pop it in. Before anyone judges I don’t really care, I just wanted to say my piece. I came here looking for help 😂
I too eat boogers they are good…I tried to stop and did for years. But what’s the point its good for my immune system.
If you’re in your safe space..CHOW DOWN !!!
Who am I to judge?
Sigh, I’ve been eating boogers my whole life. I really want to stop but I just can’t. I’ve been doing it every day, 10-15 times a day, since at least preschool (that’s as far back as I can remember) I’m 21 years old now. It’s really not as easy as just saying “I’m not going to do this anymore”. It’s extremely addicting.
Please try hard not to judge us, the majority of us have no idea really why we do it and we can’t stop.
I’ve eaten boogers my whole life as well. Ever since I can remember. I also will scratch my head and eat what’s under my nails or sometimes just drag my tooth under my nails and eat what’s underneath. I know it’s gross and that it’s probably not healthy but I can’t help it. It’s like I’m compelled to do it and don’t even really notice half the time so I feel your pain Ms.Jenny. even if I wanted to get help I don’t know how I would.
me too it is very addicting
Do you think you’ll have physical withdrawals if you stop? Maybe you should check yourself into a booger eating rehab!
I’ve always eaten my bogies But strangely I find the idea of eating snot repulsive. If you’re going to go mining for gold I find it far more offensive for people to wipe it on something or someone else. In my opinion it only an “addiction” to someone with an addictive personalit.
Wow i thought i was the only one!! Im nearly forty and have been doing my whole life. But now my out of my 3 kids so far just one does it. I hound and hound him about it Trying to stop the addiction before it happens, i think its too late… and of course he has no idea about my habit… . Just wanted to voice this… never told anyone in my life about this habit!
I hate having this bad habit and I wish I could stop…but I can’t. I suppose if this is to be my addiction I’d rather have it. I have never,ever tried drugs and I can have a drink or two and get my buzz on but I can stop, no problem and I only ever spend what I have so I don’t have crazy debt. I’m 33 years old and I feel a little better knowing I’m not the only one out there. Plus I think my husband suspects something but I can’t be sure. He’s made the comment “jokingly” when I’m picking “are you going to eat it?” And I laugh and say “what?! Ew no” but I think he knows….
It is such an embarrassing thing ti do; you always have to check uf anyone is watching and if someone is watching you have to pretend like you were just removing it😂😂im also not stopping since i found that its good for my immune system, no wonder why i don’t get sick thank you for your help, i also came for help and i found it…🙈
Like a disease i hate the addiction, but feel relief due to thr immunity boost. Booger eating results in extreme paranoia lol.
Regardless what you’ve ” read” its NOT good for your immune system! It’s simply a disgusting habit that you should be ashamed of! For those of you who think that it’s okay, fucking gross!!! Get a life and some help!!! ICCCKKKK!!!!
it’s NOT good for your immune system! Don’t believe the hype!
I think I will eat a Turd fresh out of my BUTHOLE !!!!!!!!! (SAME THING )
It’s not the same… You shouldn’t say that. It’s an addiction and it’s hard to quit. They don’t exactly make products that help like they do with other addictions.
Brian that is rude
As is eating boogers! Get a life!
LMAO! As long as it’s good for your immune system then by all means chow down and call it an addiction!
boogers? does it taste like chicken or poop?
LMAO! I think it’s both, chicken poop!
It is just Gross especially when seeing an adult eat their boogers.. I don’t want a kiss from a booger eater!
Lol i bet ypu HAVE kissed a booger eater and never knew…
Everyone who is here commenting, came here because they eat their boogies. Stop trying to pretend otherwise.
Wow my grandson does it.that’s my reason for searching. But reading these posts its unbelievable, I actually don’t know if I want to laugh my ass off or vomit.
it is not funny or gross it is a serious thing
Vomit! To suggests it’s an a addiction is rediculous!
Anything can be an addiction if you cannot stop it. Anything at all, I bet you have a few addictions of your own.
I’ve been doing this since I was a kid and used to get so badly teased from my parents and my brother. So I learnt to do it in secret. I’m now 20 and still do it and trust me I HATE IT.
I’ve tried almost everything to stop including dipping my fingers in petrol and other stuff for small periods of time.
Anyway… I now suffer really bad paranoia, especially with my girlfriend (just an hour ago she said something about how eating boogas is gross (was blowing my nose into my hands in shower-which we both do)) but I don’t know if she’s ever seen me do it
I’m thinking of talking to my councillor tomorrow about it but it’s a big step because quite literally… I’ve never told a single soul since I was 5. A few kids in high school spotted me doing it and would tease me about it so I stopped doing it in class and only in the toilet at school.
I do agree with the immune boost bit as it is soooo rare that I get sick.
Anyway I know it’s super gross but please, if you see someone doing it don’t be nasty. It causes serious anxiety and paranoia.
Jane, that’s a good step. It’s always nice to seek expert’s advice.
I am a booger eater but I think it’s more to it. I have a strong urge to eat them right after I eat a meal, almost like booger dessert. I enjoy the feeling of the booger unlodging and before I consume it I play with it in my mouth. I wear my nails long so I can get the far back juicy ones…..I think I have a problem.
Yes indeed, it’s a problem. It’ll be nice to make a move against it today.
It’s not a problem. Seriously, it’s really not. People make such a huge deal out of it when the truth is that it’s not even unhealthy for you. So, gross or not, it’s not really something to be considered a problem.
Jesus! Just buy a pack if cigarettes! Then you can say you have a REAL addiction!
As a social worker who would see patients do this i can tell you it is very OCD-like and a common theme that people have that do this is stress. I disagree with the doctor. First, you can find any doctor these days to back your opinion if you look long enough. I have talked to many doctors who say this is NOT good for you. Think about it: if eating these were good for you because of the bacteria in them that is filtered from the environment, then why do we even wash our hands, take baths, etc.? Why not just lick a public handrail then? Im sure it has tons of bacteria. Think folks. The reason the body creates mucus is to protect against infection from bacteria. The bacteria in your nose is there to prevent that bacteria from entering your system. Why do you think the body created it to begin with? And personally if anyone knows about mucus and its pros and cons it is me. Why? I have Cystic Fibrosis which is a genetic lung disease (it affects other organs too), which causes a lot of very thick mucus to develop in my lungs, liver, pancreas. The mucus is way too thick because the sodium chloride channels in my cells are blocked. The mucus collects the bacteria which is supposed to do, but i cant cough it all out due to how thick it is. As a result of this collection of bacteria, i get recurring lung infections. Over time this will kill me. The average age of life for a person with this is 39.
So with that said, trust me, it is nit good to eat the bacteria filter you body has created to rid itself of harmful bacteria.
Oh brother. Do not tell these poor people that they have OCD because they pick their nose. It’s only a symptom if it’s done excessively and can be characterized as a mania. Occasionally digging for gold is not a mental disorder.
Yes.and also how about the staphilococus aureus that is living in our noses?will arrive in our bodies causing so many staph infections:endocardities,artrities…I just read an article talking about new discovery that staph is the cause of obesify and type 2 diabeties.Are you booger eaters, overweight?
In reply to Betty,
Couls Betty please post a link, or offer the title of the article she mentioned? I would be very interested to read it.
I am very ashamedly admitting, for the 1st time to anyone, that I am a Nose Picker (NP)!
I am a NP and a “closet” Booger Consumer (BC’er) too! I have been one ever since I was about 6 years old. And yes, I am also quite obese and pre-diabetic too!
At around age 6, I developed very bad “hayfever” allergies. Both of my Parents and my brother could not tolerate my constant sniffing, sneezing and nose blowing. I also had very itchy red eyes and throat and I was miserable looking. But, I guess I was making my entire family even more miserable that I was by having to put up with me!
Both of my Parents and my brother constantly made terrible fun of me and my allergies, actually bullying me, for all the “snot rags” or “dirty wipers” and noise I produced because I was always blowing my nose and sneezing into Kleenex tissues. They even punished me for blowing my nose so much. I got left at home when they went to outings, to restaurants, to visit relatives, and to the movies. I always had to stay home because they said that I embarrassed them too much with my red, watery eyes and constant sneezing and blowing. My Dad especially hated it and he beat the hell out of me a few times for it. He would scream at me that he was not working his ass of the just come home to a sneezing, nose blowing brat who was costing him a fortune in Kleenex! At the time, I just felt so miserable and I was not trying to deliberately annoy anyone. Sadly, just my presence in the same room, sniffing sneezing and blowing was enough for him to develop a hatred towards me. I got no sympathy from my Mom about it either. She was actually even worse! She’d whip or slap me and send me to my room when i got on her nerves, like every day! My brother was delighted in the Parental abuse towards me, as in his mind that showed him our Parents loved him and hated me. Sadly for me, he was right!
To try and conserve on all my Kleenex tissue usage, and to attempt to stop annoying everyone in the household all the time, I started to quietly pick my nose and pull out the boogers instead. But, then what could I do with the booger blobs, or crispies, that I pulled out and were now positioned at the end of my finger? So, I resorted to discreetly putting them in my mouth and then spitting them out when I could get to a bathroom. But, a bathroom was not always conveniently located when a “pick” was needed, so eventually I just started swallowing them. And for me, that was how the obnoxious practice of Booger Consumption (BC), developed.
Eventually, I developed a taste for the somewhat salty flavor and the variety of diffrent textures I was able to extract. And, the shear size of some of them were pretty amazing too! Some were gooey, or stringy, or elastic, or crispy, hard and crunchy. The “best” ones were a combination of several diffrent textures. The feeling when pulling out a very thick, stringy, elastic booger, that is huge and lodged way deep up the nasal cavity, is sublime. It is also a huge relief to “hook a big one” that is getting crisp at the edges, but still soft and flexible and actually blocking my nasal passage and hindering my breathing.
At age 15, I was chased out of the home permanently during a particularly bad allergy attack provoked by the hot and dry Santa Ana winds that always cropped up in my home town of San Diego, California. I didn’t even have a chance to pack a bag of clothing or anything. My brother got mad at me sneezing so he grabbed my Mom’s rifle out of her bedroom and shot it at me. He only missed my head by about an inch as the bullet went through the front door. My Mom and Dad were both home and in the kitchen as it was the weekend. They both heard the shot and came running into the hallway where I was still standing. My brother, who was only 12 years old at the time, was up at the head of the stairs, working at manipulating the bolt action rifle to prepare to take another shot! My dad yanked $20 out of his pocket and yelled at me, ” run. run, run for your life and don’t ever come back! So I took the money and I ran! When I got tired, then I hitchhiked down to the beach. Life after that was one hell of an adventure and did not turn out too well, but that is another story…
I am now a 58 year old female with a full time, compulsive, booger consuming disorder. I also have the physical traits of a compulsive “NPr” tool The overly wide, flared, stretched nostrils, the pointy finger, and the gently curved rounded tipped fingernails that are just long enough to “hook that boogie” and chip the crispies off way up inside the nasal passage to drag them out for consumption. Unfortunately, I also have the very frequent bloody noses that go along with the “habit”. I have many stains from a freshly picked and bloody nose, which I have not been able to get out of my garments quickly enough. Sometimes my nose will start to bleed for what seems like no reason to any casual observer. Unbeknownst to them, I most likely was “mining for gold” just a minute or so prior to the bleed.
Obviously, my “disgusting” habit has pretty much isolated me and controlled my life for many, many years. Once I find that someone I know has spotted me doing a PAC (Pick And Chew), I stop all future contact with that person, AND with anyone else that they may tell!
I have left jobs, broken off relationships, broken off 2 weddings, estranged myself from all my relatives, and have even relocated a number of times; all related to being caught in the act of BC!
I usually only go to the same store, bank or resturant, if I for sure know that I did not accidently do a PAC in the vicinity. Security cameras are a nightmare for me, as I know I’ve been caught on them! I’m sure whomever was watching either got very grossed out, or they had a great laugh!
I have even been fired from jobs before I realized I’d been spotted doing a PAC and would need to quit!
I had a manger at a past job actually give me a written warning for “inappropriate behavior involving health concerns”, about my ” PAC habit”. He said he was getting numerous complaints from other employees, all because 1 lady caught me doing a “PAC” in the ladies bathroom and then she proceeded to tell everyone in the entire building! The manager said he did not care about my habit, but that he had to respect the amount of employees refusing to interact or work with me now because of it. Many employees were upset over health concerns, refusing to be near me or use anything I might have touched; like anything in the breakroom, (which I never, ever even used), door handles, keyboards, etc…! The manager gave me the option to quit immediately, with a fair amount of severance pay. Within 2 days my coworkers really started harassing me and making a big issue about it and bullying me. One guy even did vandalized and did graffiti on my truck about being a “boogie eater”! It was all very humiliating so I did quit that evening. Now, when I am at a job and then realize I may have PAC’d unconsciously and either was seen or was caught on video, I will just quickly go turn my resignation before anything comes out about it.
So, if any of you have read my confession this far, you can tell that Booger Picking and Consumption is a massively destructive, debilitating, problem in my life. It is out of control for me and I just can’t stop! I can’t ask for help either!
I did try to get help and I scheduled a session with a therapist a while back. During the 3’d session, about 15 minutes into it, I was about to bring up the PAC subject, but I unconsciously started to pick my nose right in front of the therapist. She stopped me immediately, innocently telling me that nose picking totally grosses her out! She seemed very disturbed as she quickly snatched the Kleenex box off a nearby table and yanked a tissue up so that it was sticking way out the top of the box so I could grab it without touching the box, as she sternly told me to not do that in her office! She had no idea that “nose picking” was the very reason I had started to come to her for counseling in the 1st place! I was so taken aback by her reaction that I lost my nerve to discuss it. All I could think of was that I needed to “escape” by excusing myself, saying I suddenly needed to go use the bathroom. I quickly paid my bill at the front desk, (always pay cash as I have no insurance). and told the receptionist there were apparently some personality conflicts so I would not be coming back for any future sessions. Then I left. I was half hoping that the therapist would give me a call later on to find out why I cut our session so short and why I left so quickly, but she never even bothered to contact me.
So, for me, I have locked into very gross and totally unacceptable habit of which I have no control! I live a very lonely life because of it. I don’t have any friends or even any casual acquaintances because of it. I’ve lost all contact with my entire family and all relatives because of it, as everyone knows from my Parents and brother that I’m a disgusting “Booger Eater”!
I’ve lost many jobs because of it too. I currently live on a very low income, and off my savings, in a very rural location, way outside of any towns. I never do any business in the small towns near my location for fear that if just one “local” was to catch me doing a PAC, I’d be forced to sell my home and move yet again!
The results from being a PAC person is a very unpleasant and lonely way to live! And there is no where to get help for this addiction. Drugs, alcohol, even overeating all have outlets to get help. But no one, and I mean NO ONE, not even a therapist, wants to deal with a disgusting nose picker, especially an unattractive, older, overweight, female nose picker! We NP’s are the scourge of the Earth, much like lepers in the ancient days.
The editor of this blog, makes his opinions quite clear with his choice of negitive words that reflect shame on a person who suffers from Mucophagy! The words like: ” a nasty habit”, “nasty behavior”, an “unpleasant habit”, or using a full sentence like; “I think it’s high time to make the world a mucophagy-free planet”. His comments only add to the pain and shame that a person suffering from Mucophagy is feeling. I personally have not found this blog helpful, except maybe to those who enjoy shaming and making fun of people who suffer from a compulsive disorder.
I thought the condition was labeled rhinotillexomania. Rhino- medical refers to nose-mania-action that repeats itself. That term makes since to me.
You should really consider going vegan I was born with my organs on the outside of my body and have had mucus build up in my system for my most of my life (I’m 20 yrs old) and ever since I turned vegan and cut out all dairy and meat my whole life turned around and I haven’t been to the doctors or hospital in a year and a year and a half ago that’s when I made the big change. I’m not trying to be a pushy vegan I’m just sharing my opinion from experience it’s really worth it 🙂
i’m so sorry that your entire family treated you the way they did because you had a condition that you were unable to control.. They are the ones who should be ashamed. You were just a little girl, their their little girl and I am astonished that they felt that way, Became violent and wanted to kill you. I hear your story about the abuse coming from especially from your parents who are suppose to love you unconditionally You must of felt so alone and that’s so sad..Just because you had allergies. Nothing you can do to stop it. Maybe they should have sleeked medical help like an allergist. I know that I started seeing one and not too long after this, my allergies tapered off.This must of made you fell so alone in the world. I know it would break my heart if my parents thought of me as a problem and not tried to help me. My daughter has this constant twitch an tooth clapping. I watch her do this constantly and it breaks my heart that she has to live with this. We thought it may be a symptoms of Tourette syndrome, but the doctor said no. it is most likely a neurological problem or habit and she could most likely grow out of it. Every time I see her do this, I just try to ignore it but it is so noticeable that kids in school make fun of her, And you know what? She doesn’t care. She’s such a trooper. But I know deep down in side, it hurts… These problems she has only makes me feel guilty and I keep asking myself, Is it something I did or some think happen in uterus. l would never do what your parents, brothers other relatives and friends treated you..they should have been trying to help you…This makes them monsters. As for nose picking and eating it, don’t let anyone bully you. By chance, they most likely do it themselves. Hoping to redirect their habit to you.and take any suspicion that they do it too. Don’t let people tell you that its disgusting, because they most likely do it too. I make remarks when I see someone do it for the reason that if I make the comment, they would never suspect me of doing it too. If you continue to do it, try not to do it unless you’re in a public bathroom, when your’re out, and behind closed doors at home..;Than the secret remains with you..Don’t feel less a person because you have this habit.It’s no different than any other habit. You are probably a very nice person and that’s all that matters.
Totally agree with you!
I used to eat mine until I was about 28. I am 31 now. The only reason I stopped was because I caught people staring at me through my living room window, and I was mortified. I locked myself in the house for almost a year, and was completely shut off from the world. At first, everyone in my apartment complex shamed me to the point of seeking help. Then after asking for help the doctors just laughed, and excused my issue as something people do all the time. It didn’t matter what the doctors told me, I needed help. I had done it obsessively as long as I can remember. I would do it when I would get in trouble. I would do it when I was sad. I would do it if I was stressed. I would do it to pass the time. I would do it without even realizing it. I worried my whole life that people would find out and I would be ruined. Everyone I knew loved me and enjoyed my company, but my biggest fear was losing them, and especially because they all thought I was disgusting. I would never find love again. I never told a single person, and the one person that saw me do it in elementary school moved away to another state after finding out. I was ashamed of myself and my nasty habit. I thought it was completely disgusting but I couldn’t stop. I completely blocked it out of my memory, but I know I used to do it like every time I was in the bathroom, in my car, or home alone. Even if my friends were over I’d run to the bathroom to do it. The more worried it made me, the more I did it. I am highly obsessive compulsive, and I feel like a lot of the time I did it because I hated the feeling of them being in my nose, and I didn’t always have a tissue to wipe it on. I hated blowing my nose or other people blowing their noses because it sounds super gross, and was very messy. This way, I was able to have a clean nose all of the time. I had other addictions, like sucking my thumb, biting/chewing my nails/fingers, excessive gum chewing (24/7 for years.. I’d even sleep with gum in my mouth), obsessive itching and picking, pulling my hair out, smoking, and the like. I basically tried to fill the void of my father leaving when I was less than a year old, I tried to get the love I needed anyway I could, and when I couldn’t, I found a way to stay separated. I stopped smoking very recently and worry about picking the habit back up, well because I’ve been ‘picking’ for years and I associated it with a mental disorder. I felt I had no control. Then once people found out, the only thing I could do was stop so that I would have a chance at having friends again. I studied Freud, and anything that had to do with reasons why I could have this problem. I didn’t know a single living person that had the same thing, and I thought I was defected. Now, I regret ever having done it, and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out why I did it, then make sure no one else ever made the same mistake – i.e. Dysfunctional Development, Oral Fixation/Psychosexual Stages, General Addiction, etc. Then people got mad that I was trying to “psychoanalyze” them. Unfortunately, my internal issues escaped to external, and then affected others. Everything seemed to just increase my issues, and spawn new ones such as extreme paranoia, anxiety and depression which led to internal injuries. Basically, if you do it, if you personally have a problem with it, then try to stop. Get help if you can. The worst part was initially telling someone that I did it. I wasn’t able to until I quit. If you don’t have a problem with it, make sure you’ll be okay if people find out. You may think you’ll be okay, I thought people probably already know and will never say anything. I was soo wrong. I completely lost everything because of it. I mean think about it, people look at things like Alcoholism as less bad than picking your nose and eating it. I hate that I’m even talking about it now, but as there are others out there that may need advice that they aren’t going to find I want to help. We may never really know how good or bad it may be. Only you can know how you can personally handle a situation. Even when people tried to help, it made me hate myself more. Good luck.
EVERYBODY EVERY DAY SWALLOWS OVER A LITER A DAY OF SNOT. SNIFF AND SWALLOW, SO EVERYBODY IS INGESTING THEIR NASAL FLUIDS. SOME DRIED SOME NOT, SOME MINE AND SNIFF OTHERS JUST SNIFF AND SWALLOW. AS WITH MOST PERSONAL THINGS, DISCRETION IS APPRECIATED BY ALL
It’s a disgusting habit period. You all might as well go eat your eye boogers and vaginal mucus too. Gross. Improvement of the immune system my ass. Just an excuse to continue with your nasty little habit. If the body is trying to filter it in your nose there’s a reason for it.
I saw a friend blie his nose in his hand the lick it. Then ran his hands in water without soap and wipe it on my kitchen towel. Wtf. Do you but Dont spread mersa which lives in your nose to everyone else cause you are a sick fu..!
Just feels great cleaning the passages out. An extra large dry bit is worthy of a good chewing. Not that there’s anything wrong with it.
I pick my dry ass poopy crusts and eat it. It’s the same thing right? Society always says negative things to break us down.
Grandma always told me ” you can pick your friends and pick your nose but don’t pick your friends nose”
Yaaaaas!!! Boogers are lyyyyyfee my faaaav fooooooood!!!!!
I do it but the thought of someone else’s boogers make me sick
I have always been able to attract really good looking men and I will say in confidence that I’m a rather pretty young lady. Although, I do confess I’m part of the booger eating clan here. I’ve been doing this since I can remember. I can stand having boogers in my nose and honestly feel the only way to solve it is by removing it with my finger. But, I’ve never really understood why I have to eat them? It’s just a reflux I have. They don’t really taste like anything but a little salty. I also eat baking soda, so I know that I’m a sufferer of Pica Syndrome. Anyone else?
What is a ” reflux thing”??? If its a reflex thing stop it for Gods sake!
Y’all are nasty as hell! period! Lawd ham Mercy what is life really coming to when grown people eating Boogers! That sound CRAZzzzyyy! My 2 year old daughter does it and I’m trying to find a way to STOP that madness, but I’m reading that GROWN adults do this!!! Logs off…. I cannnnn nottty! Falls out dead!
My wife does this:(….and I don’t think she cares…. I’m mortified and dont really want another kiss.
Omg. Yes caught my bf last night eating his. His response was, “why the hell are you watching me?!” Then this morning he did it and made a freaking slurging noise while sucking one off his finger. I mean his back was too me but I know what he was doing, I told him to get out his nose and he says shut the f*** up and immediately changes the subjust. I’m so frwaking grossed out though!
My husband does this and it has ruined our relationship. He has even picked his nose and ate it in his sleep. It’s one of those things that just can’t be unseen. I find it absolutely repulsive.
Same here! My husband has other OCD behaviors also: a nose tic (like a rabbit twitches it’s nose), biting his fingernails, and others. We’ve been married for 30 years and I am so grossed out when I catch him eating his boogers! I don’t want to kiss him and it repulses me so much that I can’t stand to be around him for days.
He also has a porn addiction and an alcohol problem. PLUS, he’s attracted to men! Fuck me! I really don’t want to get divorced but I don’t know if I can keep living this way.
Omg I’m in the same boat😖
All you people are f-ing sick and need to grow up. Do you also eat the crap you clean out under your nails? Do you smell your hand after you rub your privates secretly enjoying the nasty smell from not showering. Sick.
My thoughts exactly. .
My husband of 18 yrs did this infront of me for the first time after we had been married about 3 months. I pretended I didn’t notice because I didn’t want to believe that I saw it happen. After a few more times I was really upset and ridiculed him and asked him not to do it, because it really grossed me out. He agreed and I thought it was over… I have seen him do it countless times over our time together. I think he tries to hide it because he knows I don’t approve. But today I witnessed and asked him about eating his facial dandruff. I asked ” is it just anything you picked off your body. And eat it”. He said” yes. Always, have always will”. I love this man, but feel that he has never been comfortable enough to be himself in front of me . I have spent more than half of my life with this person, we have built a life; have two beautiful kids….but I honestly am completely discussed. I am understanding, however I would be completely devastated if one of my children thought that behavior was acceptable. What should I do here?
I’m so sorry you are going through this. I suggest couples counseling. Maybe that would help? 🙁
Mary Jo Patterson I feel bad that you are so disgusted..How can you possibly desire someone sexually and get turned on by your Husband when he does something that is so repulsive to you..I really hope you can resolve your issues with your Husband and eventually move on from this…
I came here because my Best Friends 4 year old daughter has been eating her boogers and she and I got into a serious discussion about it..My Best Friend is totally aware that her daughter does this and has told her not to do it but her daughter doesn’t listen..I might be wrong but I told her to tell her daughter that they are poisonous if eaten. .Maybe Im wrong idk but I couldn’t watch my child eat a booger and not try and stop her..I really care about her daughter but I have all the sudden not wanted her to touch me with her hands and the other day she took a drink of my juice and I let her have the whole thing because all I thought about was thst she back washed a booger into my drink..Im a Mother also but my child is 18 and is disgusted by snot..and as far as I know shes Never eaten a booger..I mean Ive never really came out and asked her if shes eaten boogers before. .I mean is thst a conversation we should have with our children? ? I can remember being in 9th grade and sitting in English class I watched one of the most popular abd prettiest girls in our entire school eat a huge booger off her fingernail after picking her nose..We were in the middle of a make up test and it was just her and I and our teacher left in the room..It totally changed my opinion of her and later that day I saw her kiss her boyfriend whom every girl in our school fantasized about, and I thought to myself IF YOU ONLY KNEW WHAT I KNEW lol!! But after reading about how many people actually do it maybe he did know beck maybe he too ate his boogers..Im completely in awe of how many people have said they do it and sometimes they dont even realize it until after they’ve swallowed it..Maybe some people really cannot help it.Im just flabbergasted that eating your boogers is “a thing” But I guess to each his/her own..I came here to get information for my Best Friend and Lets just say Im seriously just in total disbelief that people are admitting to something so utterly disgusting..Its almost sad.I used to gag while wiping my daughters nose when she was a baby I couldn’t imagine eating it..WOW
My father tried to hide his pick and eat, but we all always saw. He would pick his nose and eat it… and pick his ears and eat it. Oddly I thought the ear picking was gross. But I have since I can remember been picking and eating. I always try and hide it but I get so nervous that someone, really anyone has seen me do it.
I think my husband may have caught on. I really want to stop but I have a VERY addictive personality and I have been doing it for my whole life(I am 23, about to turn 24 next month)
When I do it I feel relief but also I am so grossed out by myself.
It really helps my self confidence reading that there are others out there, but really this is something more ppl should work on trying to help stop.
I’m nervous that once I have children they will do it too, just like I copied my father doing it.
I do my absolute best to hide the fact that I LOVE to pick and eat and I also don’t want to gross out the ppl in my life. I don’t think my husband knows how often I do it (literally any chance I think I’m alone or can get away with it, every day) but I know that he is catching on to me. I wouldn’t want to kiss someone who was always eating their boogers, so why can’t I stop eating mine. I literally love them, hard or the soft mucus ones. Anyone with help, not hate please a reply would help!
You are so OK. I’m 49 and have always done it. I just learned to be discreet and I’m ok with that. The Best thing that ever happened was when I was walking with a girl I had just met, and she put her finger right in her nose and declared to me that she picks her nose, always has, and didn’t care what people thought. A freeing moment. But she didn’t eat them, and didn’t judge me when I told her it did. If we could just be honest with ourselves and each other, there wouldn’t be a dopamine problem with hiding what you feel is natural. Please let yourself go.
Get some help for Gods sake! Eeeewww!!!
Omg I have this problem. Mainly when I’m alone watching tv. I don’t know why but I have just always down it. And last night my husband caught me doing it
I came upon this thread because my husband and daughter do this, too. I caught my husband doing it when we were dating, so I knew what I was getting into, lol! It doesn’t really bother me – I just pretent I don’t see it. But unfortunately my daughter (19) does it, too. I know they do it when they think nobody is looking, but they do it alot, so I have to assume their co-workers, friends etc. have seen them do it. I know my sister and my best friend have seen my husband eat boogers, … talk about embarrassing!
I have watched on TV our primate relatives, chimps, groom each other and often pick lice, body dandruff, and likely scabs too, off of other chimps and then eat it. Since we are closely related to chimps, I think the habit of eating boggies is deeply rooted in our psyche going back millions of years. When chimps do it with other chimps they are socializing and building relationships with other chimps. I suspect that chimps have likely eaten other chimps boogers…when they are available for the taking. Perhaps Homo sapiens has adapted this behaviour as a kind of self grooming activity and that this activity brings comfort and solace to one engaged in it.
Interesting that you use “nasty” and “unpleasant” to label a habit in a forum meant for healing. Otherwise informative.
I have done this for as long as I can remember. I just can’t stop. But I will escape to a safe place just to get at it. If I feel one I got to get it out. Hard ones, long stringy ones…Don’t matter. It’s addictive. For sure.
This is a true addiction at its core. I’ve tried so many times to stop. I knew it would probably ruin any relationship I would be in. I think the main reason I do it is because I absolutely can’t stand anything being in my nose blocking my airway. It makes me feel so uncomfortable and oftentimes using a tissue doesn’t clear my nose out enough. Once I’ve picked them I just eat them for many reasons. First because it is convenient and a quick transition from nose to mouth makes it even easier. Second reason is I genuinely like the taste because I probably also have an addiction to salt. Finally, I do it because I don’t even have to think about it, it’s become so natural to me. My first wife caught me doing it while peeping through the door crack which I was pretty upset about it because I’m usually very good about hiding it. To my surprise she didn’t care at all (or atleast she said so) because her 30 year old brother does it and she has heard how it can help build your immune system. If there was a way to instantly get over this addiction, I would be very happy as I think I’ll probably spend the rest of my life alone since I’m divorced for no girl is going to want a man who eats their boogers despite all the many good qualities I have.
Give me a fucking break! Will you go into withdrawals if you stop picking your nose and eating it? If you think so you’re stupid! Try withdrawal from opiiods!!!
I’ve had this problem for years now. I had to start using Flonase for allergies recently and all that did was make a TON of mucus, so I stopped. Over the last few weeks I have been doing g this more and more. Being an experienced eater, I can do it while sitting next to some one (in my own home) and they not even noticed. I’m mad at myself for having g no control over it and I’m mad I’ve been doing it more and more. It’s just an impulse! Nose to mouth, nose to mouth, nose to mouth…. Drives me crazy I wish I could stop! I want to try hypnosis to make it stop but then I laugh at how silly that it
Excuse my ignorance, but am I the ONLY ONE that does not know what a ‘BOOGER RAVE’ is? I must have been absent from nursing school that day.
I’ve never hear of it either.