Super Senses

How do you sniff out danger? What is a sense of direction or a gut instinct? You know about your five senses: hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch. But recent research has shown that we actually have at least thirty-two. We take our senses for granted but what would be possible if we properly understood how they all work?

Award-winning science writer Emma Young has spent over a decade finding out, and in Super Senses she takes us an exhilarating sensory journey, revealing why swearing is good for us, how touch can ease pain, why taking your pulse could make you fitter, and why both chocolate and rollercoasters can help you fall in love.

Using the very latest cutting-edge research, she explains the exploits of blind ballerinas, stock-market millionaires, super-tasters, voodoo priests and even a nurse who can smell Parkinson's disease before it is diagnosed. Super Senses uncovers the science behind these abilities that make us human - and offers fascinating lessons in how we can all learn to use them better. Could being more sensitive make us happier, healthier - or even wealthier?