I got about 200 threads, none of which even potentially answered my question.
Why do you salivate copiously just before vomiting?
The only answer I can think of is that it prevents stomach acid from burning the mouth and throat, but that seems unlikely.
Any ideas? Is it just me?
I always thought it was to give things a smoother ride on the way out. That and it functions as sort of a pre-vomit detection system.
Hmmmmm…salivating like mad…better get to the toilet!!
Who knows? After all you can’t dust for vomit.
It explains the phrase “slobbering drunk”. If you have ahd that much to drink, it is likely you will be paying homage to the porcelain altar. Hmmm…
WAG:
I wonder if it has anything to do with nerves connected with your stomach. As Pavlov showed, the thought of food can make you salivate, and we know it has some connection to eating and digestion. Your stomach must play some part in this neuro-transmission, with the anticipation of the arrival of food.
Your stomach goes through reverse peristalsis, and the same muscular contractions are involved as in digestion, but to a greater degree. Maybe that’s why the trigger to salivate is stronger.
Can’t speak for others, but I don’t salivate before vomiting
I do, and having not vomited for a long while, panicked recently when I started copiously salivating.
Then, about ten minutes later, it happened.
A week after that, I started salivating heavily while walking out of a restaurant with my mother. I freaked out, thinking that I hadn’t hurled in front of her in over 20 years. A long, slow walk outside made me feel a lot better. So, I think it’s an early warning system.