Breathe Right Paranormal Mystery

May 13, 2006 11:08 PM

Great googly moogly! When I open my Breath Right Nasal Strip at night in the dark, it briefly flashes with an eerie light. What the heck is causing this unearthly phenomenon, and must I seek an exorcist to properly address my sleep apnea?
posted by Astro Zombie to Science & Nature (7 answers total)

Same thing that happens when you open Band-aids in the dark. Try googling that, you might find your answer!
posted by hatsix at 11:21 PM on May 13, 2006

It's static.
posted by IronLizard at 11:28 PM on May 13, 2006

See also.
posted by IronLizard at 11:29 PM on May 13, 2006

Best answer: It's called triboluminescence, and it's what also causes wintergreen mints to spark in the dark when you crush them
posted by thewittyname at 11:38 PM on May 13, 2006

Pulling Scotch tape off of glass is another good way to see this phenomenon.
posted by hattifattener at 12:42 AM on May 14, 2006

My girlfriend and I find this phenomenon incredibly amusing. If you stick the two sides of the wrapper back together, it'll do it again :-).
posted by bbuda at 1:47 AM on May 14, 2006

must I seek an exorcist to properly address my sleep apnea?

Forget the Breathe Rights. Get yourself to a sleep doc and a CPAP machine. It's the Crack Pipe of Love.
posted by frogan at 7:28 PM on May 14, 2006