TED Talks Daily The science of lifespan — and the impact of your five senses | Christi Gendron
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May 17, 2024 
Neurobiologist Christi Gendron dives into how our senses shape our health and longevity. She reveals fascinating insights from fruit fly studies, highlighting how environmental cues like light and temperature can dramatically influence lifespan. Gendron discusses the impact of our sensory experiences on emotions, linking them to aging processes. The surprising role of death perception among flies also sheds light on stress management and potential therapies for humans, showcasing just how connected our senses are to our lifespan.
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Sensory Impact on Lifespan
- Our senses, like sight, smell, and touch, impact our decisions and emotions.
- Prolonged sensory experiences can even affect lifespan, as shown in various animal studies.
Roller Coaster Example
- Imagine arriving at an amusement park and seeing a roller coaster.
- The sights and sounds can evoke anxiety or excitement, causing physical reactions like a racing heartbeat.
Pheromones and Lifespan
- Studies on worms, flies, and mice reveal that prolonged exposure to pheromones impacts their lifespans.
- The genetic similarity between these animals and humans suggests similar biological processes are at play.