Did you know you have eight senses, not five?
By Myra A. Stark, LMSW
January 2024
You may have heard of these five senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch, but did you know there are actually eight? There are three other systems in our body that work together to give us important information about the world.
Proprioception is the sensory system that allows us to know where our bodies are in space. Receptors located in muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues tell the brain information to help us plan and coordinate movement of different body parts. In other words, proprioception is (at least in part) responsible for letting us know what our body parts are doing and how to make them work together. For example, sitting down carefully in a chair instead of falling onto the ground or opening a jar of peanut butter with both hands. Cool right?
The vestibular system is another important sense that detects movement through receptors in the inner ear. The vestibular system is responsible for our sense of balance, arousal level, and spatial perception. You can thank your vestibular system for helping you walk down the hall without bumping into a stranger. Did you enjoy swinging as a child, or maybe even as an adult (no judgement). You can thank your vestibular system for that too!
The eighth sense and my personal favorite is interoception. Interoception is the sensory system that provides information about what is happening inside of our bodies. These sensations give us information about what our bodies need. For example, if your stomach is growling, and your hands are shaking you might be hungry. Everyone experiences sensations and emotions differently and the best way to recognize your own is to tune in intentionally to the messages your body is sending. When we notice sensations in our own bodies, we are more likely to accurately recognize our emotions before they get too big, use effective coping strategies to manage uncomfortable feelings and even recognize other people’s feelings more accurately.
These sensations give us information about what our bodies need.
About the Author
Myra A. Stark, LMSW
Myra A. Stark is a licensed clinical social worker who provides services to children, adolescents and their families. Myra is passionate about helping her clients notice and respond to the messages their bodies are sending them through mindfulness.