Beyond the Five Senses, Uncovering Your Hidden Skill

lfseec
Sep 16, 2022
2 min read

#VitaminN

Beyond the five senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch – are sensory capabilities that await our discovery. Once we successfully awakened them, they can bring us even closer to nature.

Neurologists believe that other than the five senses, we are capable of other senses: for example pain, heat, balance or making use of our position and action for survival. Aside from these physical senses, we also possess senses related to nature: both sensing and being affected by gravity, wind pressure or atmospheric pressure. For instance, when the weather is humid, you might feel more tired than usual; but when the weather improves, your physical state follows as you become invigorated. Even though there is no study supporting this phenomenon thus far, it can well be related to our senses!

You probably have heard of the “sixth sense”— the supernatural sense that allows you to foresee danger or read others’ minds. To understand this ability to sense danger, researchers designed a test: the test takers are seated in front of a monitor where lines turn into arrows, requiring the test takers to click the corresponding key indicating the direction of the arrows [1]. Even though there are arrows that changed direction at the very last moment, test takers could still choose the right key. The test demonstrates that we can turn minuscule signals from the environment into consciousness and allow it to affect our emotions and detect danger. The study also indicates that the anterior cingulate cortex in our brains is very important in helping us predict danger.

In the loving embrace of nature, we also find our sixth sense, perhaps even more sensory powers. Aside from relaxing by looking out the window to gaze at trees outside, why not also train your sensory organs by being amidst nature, connecting with it. Perhaps there is another whole new experience waiting for you there.

You can refer to the following books and articles if you are interested in learning more:

[1] Brown, J. W., & Braver, T. S. (2007). Risk prediction and aversion by anterior cingulate cortex. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 7(4), 266–277. https://doi.org/10.3758/cabn.7.4.266

[2]Wohlleben, P. (2021). The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature. (Das geheime Band zwischen Mensch und Natur). Greystone Books, Chapter 6.

[3]Francis, C. (2020, October 15). A brief history of the senses. Sensory Trust. https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/....../how-many-senses......