Why Do You Stick Out Your Tongue When You Concentrate?

Have you ever done something that required a ton of concentration, like threading a needle, and noticed that sometimes your tongue pokes out involuntarily? It turns out this reflex could be a leftover from the evolution of human language!

Hosted by: Olivia Gordon

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Sources:

[musclehank]

I stick my tounge out when I have a 90 pound dumbbell on it for my tounge work outs

[JustinY.]

I honestly don't see many people do this

[hansmaulwurf]

It's funny how many people write that they've never seen it. When in actuality they mean that they never noticed.

[dylank]

I must be a weirdo, all of these people are saying they don't or have never seen anyone do it, yet I do it a lot subconsciously. Thanks for the info guys!

[Leomerya]

I noticed that when I hit certain difficult shots in tennis, my tongue absolutely sticks out to the right side of my mouth. Interesting stuff.

[miriam]

I do this... ALL. THE. TIME. Even if I'm just slightly concentrating D:
Why are all the comments saying nobody does this..

[natalierose]

I literally do this all the time lol. People tease me about it too...and I see it often in kids. Very interesting!

[MommyShortlegs]

I don’t stick out my tongue, I scrunch up my face when I become focused on something

[flatplant]

I have never done this nor have I ever seen anyone actually do it. I thought this was just a thing from movies or w.e

[alyasgrey]

Damn... I always like Olivia's presentation style but it's clear she's put in some serious effort into her enunciation and has really improved as a verbal presenter.

I'm really impressed.

[christinawhaley]

I do this sometimes, for sure. I've seen others do it but only a handful of times. Mostly kids. Interesting video though, and I've gotta compliment Olivia for taking suggestions about how she speaks and moves to heart. Her voice is much more balanced and her movements are subtle and smooth, everything feels refined. Such an improvement, keep up the great work! 😁👌

[hustlehank]

I have no tongue. I lost it when I took a gunshot to the mouth

[illtakeaquack]

When I was on my high school dance team and learning new routines, my coach would always say..."Now do it with your tounge IN your mouth!"

[Afrikoe]

I learned that poking out your tongue is a "do not disturb" signal. People are hesitant to ask somebody a question when that person's tongue is poking out.

[Master_Therion]

It's because invisible ghost cats get their revenge on us by pulling on our tongue.
Seriously, here's my reasoning:
When we concentrate its to solve something we are curious about. And "curiosity killed the cat."
You also don't speak while concentrating because "the cat has your tongue."

[cataclysmicnothing]

I could not for the life of me think of a time I stick out my tongue while concentrating until you mentioned threading a needle.

[falnica]

Hand movements?, language?, voice?, this is BEGGING for a study with deaf people

[tim.]

In the animation where you said that muscle movement was controlled in the prefrontal cortex, but you had the frontal lobe highlighted. Thought I'd point that out. Thank you guys for your videos and keep up the good work!!!

[cortster]

The first explanation makes the most sense, honestly.

[vatra]

I just start talking to myself when I'm concentrating on something.