Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep89 "Why do you love some flavors and not others?"
Jan 27, 2025
Discover the intriguing reasons why you might love certain flavors while your friend turns up their nose. Explore how cultural influences and biological mechanisms shape our taste preferences, from childhood aversions to adult enjoyments. Learn about the fascinating interplay between taste and smell, and how your genes may determine if you're a 'super taster.' Delve into the world of animals and their unique sensory perceptions, offering insights into how we all experience flavor in remarkably different ways.
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Eagleman's Personal Experience
- David Eagleman shares a personal story about a childhood accident.
- This accident damaged his sense of smell, sparking his interest in the topic.
How Taste Works
- Taste, or gustation, works through molecule detectors.
- Microscopic receptors on the tongue capture chemicals from food, sending signals to the brain.
Mechanics of Smell
- Smell, or olfaction, detects airborne chemicals, similar to taste.
- Humans have fewer olfactory receptors than other animals, making our sense of smell less acute.