Researchers have recently discovered a correlation between hand gestures and tongue activity in humans, a vestige of ancient times when communication was based on body language and signals. Apparently, although they do not move simultaneously, the hands and mouth tend to have coordinated involuntary movements. This phenomenon, called 'motor overflow,' implies that the use of the neural system that controls the hands affects the one that controls the mouth.
A recent study addresses the topic of sticking out the tongue while writing, a common gesture that has intrigued psychologists. A connection has been found between the neurons that regulate hand and finger movements and the system that controls the mouth. This phenomenon, known as 'motor overflow,' reveals how manual activities affect facial gestures unconsciously.
The scientific explanation behind why some people stick out their tongues while writing has been the subject of several studies. Recent research suggests that this behavior has its roots in early human evolution and could be a vestige of remote times. Some theories propose different reasons for this reflex, but the interaction between the system regulating the hands and facial gestures seems to be key.
In an effort to better understand this phenomenon, scientists have used special technology to measure the brain activity of people while they write. The results show a connection between manual and facial movements, suggesting that the act of sticking out the tongue while writing could be a manifestation of how the brain coordinates different motor actions.
