Less blinking could indicate that the Brain is subject to a larger one cognitive effortaccording to a scientific study youngest of the Concordia University. This finding that links the frequency of flicker with mental activity offers a new perspective on an everyday action that protects more than just that Eye healthcould reflect the level of concentration and information processing in demanding situations.
He flicker It is an involuntary reflex that is essential for visual well-being. Its main function is to spread a layer of tears over the surface of the eye, keeping the eyes moisturized and clean and helping to remove particles or irritants.
In addition, this movement protects against environmental influences such as bright light or wind and provides short breaks that reduce eye fatigue, especially during prolonged activities such as screen use or reading.
The usual blink frequency in adults ranges from 15 and 20 times per minutewhich is equivalent to between 21,600 and 28,800 flashes daily. A healthy blink rhythm is crucial for maintaining eye function, while changes in this frequency can be due to dryness, irritation, stress, fatigue or even neurological disorders. Blinking too much or too little can cause discomfort, blurred vision, redness or, in severe cases, illnesses such as: Exposure keratitis.
In addition to its protective function, blinking also has a function mental effort. The team of Concordia University designed two experiments to analyze how blink frequency varies in response to different cognitive demands.
In the studio, nearby 50 adults They listened to short sentences through headphones in a soundproof room while the background noise level varied from low to high. Using eye-tracking glasses, the researchers recorded every blink and its exact timing during the task.
The results showed that participants blinked less while trying to understand the sentences, especially when noise made hearing difficult. This flicker suppression remained constant regardless of lighting, suggesting that the main cause is mental load and not visual stimulation. Accordingly Penelope CoupalLead author of the study, “We don’t blink randomly. In fact, we systematically blink less when relevant information is presented.”.
Analysis of the data revealed that while blink frequency varies from person to person, some only blink 10 times per minute and others even 70–, the general trend is clear: blinking decreases when the brain faces demanding cognitive tasks.
Traditionally, studies of mental effort have focused on pupil dilation and viewed blinking as an artifact to be eliminated. However, Concordia research suggests that blink rate may play a role practical and non-invasive indicator of mental stressboth in laboratory environments and in everyday life.
The implications of this finding are relevant for understanding psychological processes and everyday health. Blinking could be used as a tool to measure cognitive effort in real time, opening up possibilities in areas such as: ergonomicsThe Training or assessing mental fatigue. In addition, the importance is highlighted Maintain healthy habits for your eyes, because a sufficient blinking frequency not only protects your eyes, But it can also reflect the state of alertness and concentration.
Research suggests that each blink involves a brief interruption in the intake of visual and auditory information, which would explain why the brain tends to reduce this reflex when it needs to capture important data from the environment.
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