The Sensory Revolution

Exploring the extraordinary powers of our senses.

Aging

Mental Illness Makes You Age More Quickly

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on May 24, 2023

A new study has revealed that people with mental illness are physically older than they should be for their age.

A new study has revealed that people with mental illness are physically older than they should be for their age.

Attention

Why Some People Just Have No Rhythm

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on March 22, 2023

The inability to move in sync with music has been linked with other surprising deficits, like dyslexia and a reduced ability to pay attention to other people.

The inability to move in sync with music has been linked with other surprising deficits, like dyslexia and a reduced ability to pay attention to other people.

Animal Behavior

Elephants Speak in Voices Too Deep to Hear

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on February 8, 2023

Infrasound enables elephants to communicate over long distances.

Infrasound enables elephants to communicate over long distances.

Memory

How to Tell if You're a Super-Recognizer

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on January 23, 2023

Two to three percent of the population has an extraordinary memory for faces. Are you among them?

Two to three percent of the population has an extraordinary memory for faces. Are you among them?

Forgiveness

Craving Fatty Foods? Your Intestines May Be to Blame

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

New research shows that mice crave fat even when they can't taste it. The findings could offer new ways to help human beings limit fat consumption.

New research shows that mice crave fat even when they can't taste it. The findings could offer new ways to help human beings limit fat consumption.

Pregnancy

Babies Can Taste Their Mothers' Food in the Womb

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on September 29, 2022

Fetuses still in the womb smile or frown in response to different tastes. Could a mother's diet during pregnancy have a long-term impact on their child’s food preferences?

Fetuses still in the womb smile or frown in response to different tastes. Could a mother's diet during pregnancy have a long-term impact on their child’s food preferences?

Sensory Processing Disorder

What to Do When Your Child Has Sensory Processing Disorder

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on July 23, 2022

SPD can interfere with a child's learning, development, and overall well-being.

SPD can interfere with a child's learning, development, and overall well-being.

Stress

Pandemic Stress Supercharges Personal Growth

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on May 27, 2021

A new study shows that people with high pandemic stress levels are also experiencing significant personal growth.

A new study shows that people with high pandemic stress levels are also experiencing significant personal growth.

Cognition

When Is a Face Not a Face?

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on March 31, 2021

Our minds are hardwired to recognize patterns, but does that set us up to make mistakes?

Our minds are hardwired to recognize patterns, but does that set us up to make mistakes?

Neuroscience

Why Your Mind Can See Faces Where They Don't Exist

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on February 10, 2021

Cookie Monster's face, recently spotted in a geode, is a particularly common illusion. Why is that?

Cookie Monster's face, recently spotted in a geode, is a particularly common illusion. Why is that?

Education

LEGO Braille Bricks Help Blind Children Learn to Read

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on January 17, 2021

The new educational toy will be available in twenty countries by the end of 2021.

The new educational toy will be available in twenty countries by the end of 2021.

Sensory Processing Disorder

It’s Not Autism, It’s Sensory Processing Disorder

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on December 31, 2020

The two conditions are often confused, but they’re not the same.

The two conditions are often confused, but they’re not the same.

Stress

Say Goodbye to 2020 by Screaming Into the Void

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on December 31, 2020

A new hotline invites callers to just scream and hang up.

A new hotline invites callers to just scream and hang up.

Sleep

Having Strange Dreams During the Pandemic? You’re Not Alone

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on December 30, 2020

Research shows an uptick in vivid dreams and nightmares since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Research shows an uptick in vivid dreams and nightmares since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Self-Talk

Most Authors Can Hear Their Characters Speaking to Them

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

Not only do writers hear, see, and interact with their characters, but they report that characters sometimes act on their own accord.

Not only do writers hear, see, and interact with their characters, but they report that characters sometimes act on their own accord.

A clown with bright white contacts and red and white makeup smiles a sinister smile

Anxiety

Horror Fans Cope Better with the Pandemic, Study Finds

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

People who watch horror movies are showing fewer symptoms of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

People who watch horror movies are showing fewer symptoms of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Body Image

In the Brains of Foot-Painters, Feet Become Hands

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on September 23, 2020

Scans show that the toes of "extreme foot users" are mapped individually in the brain, like fingers.

Scans show that the toes of "extreme foot users" are mapped individually in the brain, like fingers.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

New Research Shows That COVID Impairs Three Senses

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

The discovery could help us understand how the virus enters and spreads in the body.

The discovery could help us understand how the virus enters and spreads in the body.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Myth That Endangers Black Lives

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on June 8, 2020

The belief that Black people have superhuman abilities contributes to anti-Black police violence and puts Black people at greater risk from COVID-19.

The belief that Black people have superhuman abilities contributes to anti-Black police violence and puts Black people at greater risk from COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Is Craft Booming in COVID Because We're Starved for Touch?

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on May 23, 2020

In the absence of human contact, people are turning to another type of touch to ease their stress during the pandemic.

In the absence of human contact, people are turning to another type of touch to ease their stress during the pandemic.