BRAIN WAVES
Smells like a new friend. A new study from Cornell finds that women’s scent preferences can predict how much they’ll like a potential friend, even before they speak. In the experiment, women smelled each other’s worn T-shirts before and after short “speed-friending” conversations. Those who liked a scent were more likely to enjoy the interaction—and vice versa. When people enjoyed a conversation, it also changed the way they rated that person’s scent after the fact. Scent preferences were personal, and they varied from person to person, which researchers says suggests that we each have a unique “smell signature” we respond to in others. “Everybody showed they had a consistent signature of what they liked,” said author Vivian Zayas. “And this pattern predicts who [they] end up liking in the chat.”
Control group. We tend to think of self-control as self-deprivation—if you can exert willpower over something, you must be good at denying yourself that thing. But new research offers a different perspective. It finds that people with high self-control prefer activities that feel meaningful over those that are purely pleasurable. To test this, researchers measured people’s levels of self-control and their tendency toward hedonism. Participants were then asked to choose between various everyday activities—like reading, watching TV, or exercising—and to rate how meaningful or pleasurable those activities felt. People who scored high on self-control were more likely to choose activities they found to be more significant. The takeaway? For some, self-control isn’t just about avoiding pleasure – it’s about doing more meaningful activities.
Alone again. We’re always told to reach for that next goal, work that third job, go to that boisterous party after a long day at work. You only live once … right? But there’s a case for a quieter, more reflective interior life. Listen to learn more.
RECORD YOUR STORY
Have you ever experienced a feeling of intense disgust – so intense that it changed the course of your life in some important way? We’re especially interested in stories that are as funny as they are, well, disgusting. If you have a story like this you’d be willing to share with the Hidden Brain audience, record your story on your phone (2-3 minutes is plenty) and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Use the subject line “Disgust.”
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
Relationships 2.0: Why Did You Do That? + Your Questions Answered: Fred Luskin on Grudges: Humans are constantly trying to figure out what other people are thinking and feeling. This ability to assess other people's thoughts is a superpower — one that can sometimes lead us astray.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Alexis Agnew’s Story: After receiving irregular test results, Alexis left her doctor's appointment in tears. On her way out of the office, a receptionist stopped Alexis and held her while she cried. It is a moment she will never forget.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
MIND GAMES
You’ll find me in Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. But never Neptune, or Venus. What am I?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
One family wants to get through a tunnel. Dad can make it in one minute, mom in two minutes, son in four and daughter in five minutes. No more than two people can go through the tunnel at one time, moving at the speed of the slower one. How can they all make it to the other side if they have a torch that lasts only 12 minutes and they are afraid of the dark?
Answer: First mom and dad – 2 minutes. Dad comes back – 3 minutes, both children go to mom – 8 minutes. Mom comes to dad – 10 minutes and they both get to their children – 12 minutes. (source)
A MOMENT OF JOY
Something you’ve never seen before.
Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.