The traditional view of human senses as limited to five—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—has come under scrutiny. Recent research suggests that humans may possess as many as 33 distinct senses. This shift in understanding stems from the work of cognitive scientists and neuroscientists, particularly those involved in the Rethinking the Senses project at the University of Glasgow.
These researchers argue that the conventional list of senses overlooks significant aspects of human experience. For instance, they identify additional senses that include balance, body position, internal body awareness, temperature sensitivity, and pain perception. According to Charles Spence, a neuroscientist and director of the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford, humans likely have between 22 and 33 senses. He emphasizes that sensory perception does not occur in isolation; rather, it is a complex interplay of various sensory inputs.
One vivid illustration of this integration is taste. While the tongue can detect five basic tastes—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami—flavor is largely influenced by smell. When eating, odor molecules travel from the mouth to the nasal cavity, enhancing the overall taste experience. The sensation of food can also be influenced by touch, as textures contribute to how we perceive flavors. Thus, what we term as “taste” is a collaborative experience involving smell, touch, and the basic functions of the tongue.
Understanding the Complexity of Human Perception
The blending of sensory information does not stop at taste. Proprioception allows individuals to sense where their limbs are without visual confirmation. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation. Interoception tracks internal bodily signals, such as heart rate and feelings of hunger, adding another layer to our sensory experience. Some researchers also highlight the sense of agency and ownership over one’s limbs, which can become disrupted in stroke patients who experience a disconnection from their own body despite having intact sensations.
Experimental studies have revealed the remarkable flexibility of these sensory systems. In one experiment, participants reported feeling lighter or heavier based on changes in the sound of their footsteps. In another study, background aircraft noise affected the taste of food, diminishing salty and sweet flavors while enhancing savory notes. This phenomenon may explain why tomato juice often tastes better when consumed on an airplane.
Researchers describe perception as a coordinated process where different senses interact continuously. Vision can shift in response to balance, smell can alter texture, and sound can change flavor. The senses work in concert, maintaining their activity even in a world filled with screen-based distractions.
The narrative that humans possess only five senses fails to capture the complexity of sensory perception. Instead, it is more accurate to view human experience as a rich tapestry of signals continually informing our interactions with the world. By acknowledging the full spectrum of senses, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be human and how we navigate our environment.
