You’re dreaming!
If you could control your dreams, what would you do? Many of us do have some control over our dreams. It’s called lucid dreaming and if you can’t already do it, you may be able to learn how.
Author: Jen Martin
Why does tickling make us laugh?
Ever wondered why some people are more ticklish than others? And why are some parts of our bodies more vulnerable to tickling? There have been a number of theories proposed over the years as to why we are ticklish, and why most of us can’t tickle ourselves.
Arachnophobes anonymous
Hi I’m Jen and I’m not a big fan of spiders. Research shows I’m not alone: fear of spiders is one of the most common phobias in the world. But why are so many of us scared of spiders when hardly any spiders are actually dangerous? And what can we do about our arachnophobia?
Memories are made of this
Wish you had a better memory? Some people are born with an extraordinary memory; others develop their skills over time. One of the toughest memorisation exercises of all is the training required to become a London cabbie. But if that vocation doesn't appeal, there are simple techniques you can learn right now to improve your memory.
Are you an ambivert?
If you’ve ever taken a personality test, you’ve probably been labeled as an introvert or extravert. But it’s more accurate to think of your personality as falling somewhere along the introversion-extraversion continuum. In fact, many of us have both introvert and extravert tendencies. Hello ambiverts.
The voice
Whether he’s playing God, the American President or Vitruvius, Morgan Freeman has one of the greatest voices of all time. It’s deep, soothing and powerful. But what makes a voice so authoritative?
The big sleep
Bats, bears and some birds do it, but humans can’t: hibernation. Animals hibernate to save energy through long cold winters. Sounds appealing, doesn't it? NASA wants to know if human hibernation is possible. Why? Because it because it would make the trip to Mars a hell of a lot less boring.
Exactly how many degrees of separation?
I’m sure you know the idea: everyone on Earth is connected to every other person by six or fewer links. The idea was first proposed in 1929, but is six still the correct number of links in today’s connected world?
Even the slightest touch
Have you ever had a hug from a stranger? How did it make you feel: warm, happy, comforted? Feeling connected to other people, especially through touch, has been shown to protect us from illness. Something as simple as a pat on the back or a supportive touch on the arm can induce trust and reduce pain and stress. Although often disregarded, touch has a profound influence on how we feel and can communicate complex emotions without words.
Midnight munchies
It’s late, you’re exhausted, and you’re craving chips. Most of us have experienced midnight munchies, but what makes fatty, salty and sweet foods particularly appealing at night?
Dr Jen Martin 