Our More-Than-Five Senses
Neurobiologist André White says the ability to balance and know where you are in space is among the senses. Justin Case/Getty Images hide caption
Neurobiologist André White says the ability to balance and know where you are in space is among the senses.
Justin Case/Getty ImagesYou're familiar with touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. But your body moves through the world with more than five.
NPR Short Wave reporter Emily Kwong speaks to neurobiologist André White, assistant professor at Mount Holyoke College, about our senses — the beautiful, intricate system that carries information from the outside world in.
We define what a sense is, describe the neurobiological mechanisms that make sensing possible, and delve into the importance of a sixth sense that makes flashlight tag possible.
To learn about André's research, visit Mount Holyoke's website and Black in Neuro. Contact the podcast at shortwave@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Berly McCoy and Rebecca Ramirez, edited by Gisele Grayson, and fact checked by Rasha Aridi and Ariela Zebede. Alex Drewenskus was the audio engineer.