brooke, Author at Interesting Facts

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Falling in love can feel like a whirlwind, and one that often feels out of your control. “The heart wants what it wants,” the famous Emily Dickinson quote proclaims — but as it turns out, love actually has little to do with the heart. Instead, the soaring feelings we experience have more to do with brain chemistry and our body’s response to the chemicals. While researchers are still working to fully understand the science of attraction, we have a pretty good idea of what happens to our bodies when we fall in love.

Chemical Surges

When we first feel attracted to someone, our brain’s primary reward center — known as the ventral tegumental area (or VTA) — begins to activate. It’s here that dopamine is made, one of the key ingredients in the brain chemistry cocktail of love.

This neurotransmitter is known for creating sensations of pleasure and reward, and as the dopamine bounces around our brain’s limbic system, we get a rush not unlike the feeling of other pleasurable activities, from eating your favorite food to achieving a goal to the electric sensation of a first kiss. It’s an intoxicating reaction that’s also been likened to the way bodies operate in addiction.

Alongside dopamine, another hormone called norepinephrine (or noradrenaline) kicks in. Norepinephrine is primarily known for its role in the body’s “fight or flight” response, but in matters of love, it enables that single-minded focus on the object of our desire — as well as those butterflies in our stomach.

According to Harvard University, brain scans have shown just how active our brains are when we feel this initial rush of attraction: The VTA and caudate nucleus (another of the brain’s main reward centers) light up like fireworks when people are shown photos of someone they feel drawn to. Interestingly, while dopamine and norepinephrine levels soar, serotonin levels tend to drop when first falling in love. Low serotonin is linked to obsessive thinking, which is believed to be responsible for those early days of infatuation.

Racing Hearts

The sensations of being in love aren’t limited to the brain, of course; as your mind kicks into subconscious overdrive, it triggers physical reactions that can feel contradictory to the warm fuzzy feelings swirling in your brain. The excitement caused by surges of dopamine and norepinephrine trigger your adrenal glands, which lead to — you guessed it — a flood of adrenaline.

This can cause racing hearts, flushed cheeks, dilated pupils, and, unfortunately, those nervous, sweaty palms, especially when we’re around the person responsible for putting us in this state in the first place. With all this extra adrenaline, it can be hard for someone in the early phases of love to eat or fall asleep, which can take an unexpected toll on our poor, lovesick selves.

Higher Pain Thresholds

If that first flush of love also has us feeling invincible, there’s a reason: A Stanford University study found that being in love can noticeably heighten our pain tolerance. Participants in the first stages of infatuation looked at various photos while a heated probe was pressed into their hand. Looking at a photo of their love reduced moderate pain by around 40% and severe pain by up to 15% when compared to looking at a photo of an acquaintance. It’s thought that viewing a photo of a romantic love activates our dopamine, which can help regulate pain in a process sometimes referred to as “love-induced analgesia.”

People in love also tend to have stronger immune systems. Research has shown that people in the early stages of a romantic relationship displayed changes in gene expression. Participants who were in the midst of that fierce, early love showed a noticeable boost in the activity of certain immune-related genes, hinting that their bodies might be better equipped to fight off illness. This is likely due to the increased production of dopamine and oxytocin, both of which are important for the functionality of our immune systems.

Bonding Hormones

As relationships progress, the initial dopamine-fueled high fades, and oxytocin takes over. Sometimes known as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone,” oxytocin is made in the hypothalamus and makes its way to the bloodstream through the brain’s pituitary gland. It’s released during moments of physical closeness and serves to strengthen attachment; it lowers stress and helps facilitate feelings of calm and comfort around a loved one. It’s also released in high amounts during pivotal moments of connection, such as childbirth and breastfeeding.

Vasopressin is another hormone that helps foster deeper bonds when the dopamine dries up. In studies on prairie voles — animals that, like humans, have a tendency toward monogamy — scientists found that vasopressin levels were linked to the strength of the animals’ bonds. In humans, vasopressin is also thought to contribute to the feeling of wanting to protect and provide for one’s partner.

The Pain of Heartbreak

Just as falling in love can do a number on your mind and body, so can the end of a passionate romance. The pain of losing love can cause stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome.” Part of the heart — usually the left ventricle — temporarily swells and weakens, preventing the heart from functioning properly. It can be triggered by intense emotional stress, and the symptoms, including chest pain and shortness of breath, often mimic a heart attack.

While love is, at its core, a feeling that most likely evolved to support reproduction, it has long evolved far beyond that to become the lynchpin of the deep social connections that make us human. Even when it feels abstract or confusing or out of control, love is fundamentally a biochemical process — a simple scientific fact that can help us feel grounded when in the throes of romance.

Nicole Villeneuve

Writer

Nicole is a writer, thrift store lover, and group-chat meme spammer based in Ontario, Canada.

Original photo by SERSOLL/ Shutterstock

When we’re younger, time tends to feel as if it drags on forever. Think of those long, lazy summers that seemed never-ending, or how it could feel like an eternity watching the clock tick away and waiting for the final school bell to finally ring. But as we grow older, many of us feel like time is moving more quickly. This curious phenomenon has nothing to do with any change in the measurement of time, of course; a minute today is the same length it was 50 years ago. According to some scientific theories, this sensation actually has to do with how our brains process the experiences around us, which changes as we age, leading to a feeling of increasing rapidity. Let’s take a look at some potential explanations for this odd yet seemingly universal experience.

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Experiments Have Revealed How We Perceive Time Differently

In the 1960s, psychologist Robert Ornstein conducted a series of experiments leading up to the publication of his 1969 work On the Experience of Time. Two tests were particularly notable: In the first experiment, Ornstein showed subjects two diagrams — one with a complicated design and another featuring a comparatively simple pattern. Subjects were presented with each image for an identical period of time, but when asked which one had appeared for longer, test subjects chose the more complex diagram.

Ornstein also conducted a second experiment with audio files featuring clicking sounds and basic household noises. Some of the recordings were more intricate, containing more clicks produced at a quicker frequency. When Ornstein asked his subjects to tell him which audio file was longer, they chose the more complex one with the greater number of sounds.

Ornstein concluded that across the board, people’s perception of time appeared to slow down when they were presented with greater amounts of new and complex information. He posited that our brains require extra time to process unfamiliar experiences, resulting in a feeling of time essentially moving in slow-motion.

Childhood vs. Adulthood

So what do Ornstein’s experiments have to do with time speeding up as we age? Well, when we’re young, our days are filled with first-time experiences rife with complex and often novel information that our brains work hard to process. There are countless new lessons to learn, new locations to explore, and new sensations to feel. In the context of Ornstein’s experiments, these are akin to seeing the more complex diagrams or hearing those more detailed audio files.

When we’re younger, it takes time for our brains to take in and process all the sights and sounds we’ve never experienced before. This overwhelming flood of knowledge may contribute to the sensation of time moving more slowly. As we grow older, however, we often find ourselves falling into familiar routines. Days, weeks, or even months can pass in which our lives remain largely unchanged. Our brains aren’t working as hard on a daily basis to process and analyze new experiences, so time can feel to be moving faster.

This is all subjective, of course, as some older people may actively seek out stimulating activities that keep the brain active and therefore help “slow things down.” But generally speaking, time tends to blend together more and more as we age, when it isn’t broken up by fresh, original experiences as frequently as in our younger years.

How Our Brains Change as We Age

Even if you make a concerted effort to seek out challenging new experiences as you age, your perception of time will likely still be affected by the inevitable changes to your body and brain. Older folks often experience time more rapidly due to physical changes in the neural receptors, which become larger and more complex as we mature. These changes mean it takes longer for signals to traverse the nervous system and reach the brain, so our bodies are unable to process details as efficiently as in our younger days.

As Psychology Today explains, younger people are physically capable of processing more mental images than their older counterparts, whose brains function less efficiently as they age. Let’s say there’s a 15-year-old and a 65-year-old who are both witness to the same experience over the course of one hour. When looking back, the teenager will likely recount more vivid memories than the adult, given the capabilities of their brain. The teen may feel as if they’re recounting those events in slow motion, considering all of the details they can recall.

The adult, on the other hand, may remember fewer details, and so it may seem like that time flew by. In other words, younger people recall past memories as if they were watching slow-motion footage, which allows them to look at every minor detail. But for older folks, certain details may be missed entirely as the footage flies by.

Another possible explanation for time appearing to speed up is a concept called proportional theory. Essentially, this theory suggests that the way we perceive time is related to the amount of time we’ve already experienced. Younger people have been alive for less time, so each new experience seems more substantial in comparison.

No Singular Answer

There’s still a great deal of uncertainty as to exactly how the human brain functions, and, in turn, why time seems to speed up as we get older. But researchers who have studied this topic generally agree that new and unfamiliar situations can make time seem to slow down. If you’ve begun to feel like the minutes are flying by, try exposing yourself to something new, such as a trip to somewhere you’ve never visited, learning a new language, or even stopping into local restaurants where you’ve never eaten. These may help you “slow down” and allow you to soak up each moment like you did when you were younger, when the world was a less familiar place.

Bennett Kleinman

Staff Writer

Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio, and previously contributed to television programs such as "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Impractical Jokers." Bennett is also a devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.

Original photo by PeopleImages - Yuri A/ Shutterstock

The day after Thanksgiving is famous for being one of the most popular shopping days of the year. After folks have digested their turkey and pumpkin pie, many of them head to the store — either physically or virtually — to stock up on gifts for the upcoming holiday season. The plethora of discounted items offered by nearly every retailer works wonders to entice customers who can’t resist a good deal. These sales generate billions of dollars annually, and the shopping holiday has blossomed into a global phenomenon. But why does this day exist, how did it get its name, and how did it become such a staple of the holiday season? Here are five tantalizing facts to shed some light on Black Friday.

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The Modern Term “Black Friday” Originated in Philadelphia

For many years, the phrase “Black Friday” was used to describe ominous or unfortunate events. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest written use of the term dates back to 1610, when it was used to describe any Friday on which a school exam was given. In 1869, “Black Friday” was the name given to the financial crisis that occurred following the crash of the U.S. gold market.

Then in 1951, the phrase was first used in connection to Thanksgiving, though in a different context than we use it today. Factory Management and Maintenance magazine published a piece discussing how the Friday after Thanksgiving was a “Black Friday” due to the sheer number of workers who called in “sick.” As the publication noted, “‘Friday-after-Thanksgiving-itis’ is a disease second only to the bubonic plague … When you decide you want to sweeten up the holiday kitty, pick Black Friday.”

Finally in the 1960s, the term began to be used to express frustration over the hectic shopping period that followed Thanksgiving. It was a particularly common term in Philadelphia, where, according to a 1961 article in the Public Relations News, “it became customary for officers to refer to the post-Thanksgiving days as Black Friday and Black Saturday” due to the large crowds that came into the city to shop — and also the extended shifts that cops worked as a result.

According to The New York Times, by 1975 bus drivers began using the same terminology, as they were forced to deal with the headache of increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic. It was only in the 1980s that “Black Friday” was first used in a commercial sense, as retailers noted that the increased shopping took them out of the red (debt) and into the black (profit).

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Black Friday Is Observed Across Six Continents

With Antarctica being the obvious exception, the concept of Black Friday as a shopping holiday has spread to six continents around the world, even in countries that don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. International retailers that have been influenced by their American counterparts have started offering substantial sales of their own. This global expansion is a relatively recent phenomenon according to Forbes magazine, which notes that the retail event made its way to Canada in 2008, to the United Kingdom in 2010, and to Oceania around 2013.

Some African countries, including Egypt and Nigeria, have celebrated the event since 2014. That said, many Arab nations steer clear of the exact phrase “Black Friday” due to local religious customs, instead referring to it using other colors, such as “White Friday” or “Green Friday.” In India, October and November have long been popular shopping months due to local seasonal holidays including Diwali. But companies throughout India have recently specifically embraced Black Friday in an effort to drive up sales even more.

In Europe, Black Friday is particularly popular in Germany, which has seen sales on that day expand significantly in recent years. In fact, according to the aforementioned Forbes article, Germany and Brazil together account for 13% of worldwide internet searches on Black Friday, despite the fact those two nations combined only account for ~3.5% of the total world population. Speaking of Brazil, it’s celebrated Black Friday since 2010 — however, locals are so wary of seasonal scams that it’s earned the nickname “black fraude,” meaning “black fraud.”

Cyber Monday Has Surpassed Black Friday in Revenue

For the majority of the 1980s, ’90s, and early 2000s, Black Friday had little competition in terms of revenue generated in a single day. But in 2005, a new shopping holiday called Cyber Monday debuted. This day, referring to the Monday after Thanksgiving, offered up the biggest online sales of the year and proved to be an immediate success, surpassing the billion-dollar mark within five years. In 2019, Cyber Monday overtook Black Friday in terms of total revenue, a trend that’s continued every year since. In 2019, Cyber Monday sales hit a total of $9.4 billion — the peak hour for shopping was 11 p.m. to midnight, when consumers spent $11 million per minute on average — surpassing Black Friday’s total revenue that year of $7.4 billion.

This isn’t to say Black Friday has lost its popularity, as total sales that day continue to rise, but many retailers have nonetheless pivoted much of their efforts to online shopping. Forbes notes that shoppers spent $9.8 billion online on Black Friday in 2023 — a 7.5% increase from the year prior. In total, the whole Cyber Week period (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday) generated an estimated $37 billion from 134.2 million online shoppers that year. On the other side, physical traffic was also up 2.1% (which equates to roughly 76.2 million people), proving some customers still prefer in-person brick-and-mortar options.

A Party Game Company Made More Than $70,000 Selling Nothing

Cards Against Humanity is a popular adult party game that many compare to the more family-friendly game Apples to Apples. In addition to its namesake product, the game design company prides itself on selling something more unusual every year to satirize the consumerism associated with Black Friday. One of the most popular past examples came in 2014, when the company sold literal boxes of poop (pasteurized bull feces, to be exact) to 30,000 shoppers, generating $180,000 in total. It also received $100,573 in 2016 to help it dig a big pointless hole, which it called the “Holiday Hole,” outside of Oregon, Illinois.

But of all the company’s annual pranks, the one from 2015 arguably best exemplifies the its stance on the superficial nature of Black Friday. That year, the company sold nothing — and we mean absolutely nothing — for $5 apiece. Throughout the day, the only available option on the Cards Against Humanity online store was for customers to input their credit card info and click a button, which immediately charged them $5. Despite receiving jack squat in return, shoppers happily participated in this satirical stunt, resulting in $71,145 of total revenue.

Black Friday Is Also the Busiest Day of the Year for Plumbers

Black Friday is known for providing a huge boon to businesses, and that includes the plumbing industry. The day after those hearty Thanksgiving meals, panicked homeowners often find themselves calling their local plumbers in need of assistance. According to Snopes, Black Friday — or “Brown Friday” as it’s been punnily dubbed — sees an estimated 50% increase in calls to plumbers compared to an average day. But this increase actually has little to do with people using the bathroom (though there are certainly a few instances of that) and much more to do with all the food and grease that gets improperly disposed of down the drain.

During cooking and cleanup, people are likely to haphazardly dispose of food scraps, resulting in dense clogs that can’t be easily removed. The nationwide plumbing company Roto-Rooter confirmed it sees an estimated 50% increase in calls on Black Friday, mainly concerning all the grease that’s poured down various drains solidifying and causing clogs.

Bennett Kleinman

Staff Writer

Original photo by RuslanDashinsky/ iStock

In times of stress, sadness, or solitude — or when we simply need a pick-me-up — comfort foods have long been a source of solace. These indulgent, often calorie-rich dishes seem to possess an almost magical ability to soothe our emotions and lift our spirits. But what exactly is the science behind this phenomenon? Why do certain foods have such a profound effect on our mood and the ability to give us a mental boost?

The answer lies within a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and cultural factors. As it turns out, our brains and bodies respond to comfort foods in ways that extend beyond the basic concepts of nutrition. Here, we delve into the fascinating science behind comfort foods, from the neurochemical responses they elicit to the psychological mechanisms at play.

We Have Neurotransmitters To Thank

Comfort foods can have a powerful impact on our brain chemistry, triggering the release of neurotransmitters — chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with each other throughout the body — that can affect our mood and emotions. Arguably the most significant neurotransmitter associated with the consumption of comfort foods is dopamine, which is released by our brain’s hypothalamus. Dopamine gives us feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation. In other words, it floods us with good feelings after doing something we enjoy, thus reinforcing our desire to engage in these behaviors.

Many comfort foods, particularly those high in carbohydrates, can also increase the production of serotonin, another neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. This is why we often crave sugary or starchy foods when we’re feeling down, as they can help our bodies make serotonin, thereby decreasing the stress hormone cortisol and making us feel calmer.

A Shortcut to Childhood

Psychology goes hand in hand with neurochemistry when it comes to understanding the wondrous effects of comfort foods. Foods can easily trigger emotional associations — both unconsciously and consciously — to past joyful and pleasant experiences. Many comfort foods are linked to positive childhood memories from childhood, which explains why we often crave the foods we ate as kids, whether it’s mac and cheese, chicken pot pie, or chocolate cake. Consuming these foods can evoke nostalgia and its associated positive emotions, which in turn releases those feel-good neurotransmitters.

The psychology behind comfort foods is heavily related to our cultural influences. Not only do comfort foods elicit a strong emotional connection to our family and upbringing, but sharing these comfort foods with others can also strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of belonging, which can have a positive impact on our well-being. A 2015 study found that comfort foods were associated with our close relationships, reminding us of our social ties and therefore helping us feel less lonely.

Culture, of course, is a wonderfully diverse and colorful concept. Different cultures have their own traditional comfort foods, which often reflect beloved local ingredients and cooking methods — from chicken congee in China to moussaka in Greece. These foods are often closely tied to cultural identity and shared experiences, again providing us with a sense of nostalgia and belonging.
Because of this, what any one person considers comfort food is highly individual.

For example, memoirist and civil rights activist Maya Angelou said, “The best comfort food will always be greens, cornbread, and fried chicken.” Austrian celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, meanwhile, prefers wiener schnitzel and mashed potatoes, “because it reminds [him] of [his] youth.” Wherever we come from and whatever our cultural background may be, it’s good to know we can always turn to our particular comfort foods when we have need of them.

Tony Dunnell

Writer

Tony is an English writer of nonfiction and fiction living on the edge of the Amazon jungle.

Credit: Images Courtesy of Vendors

Looking for a gift to spark curiosity in just about anyone? This guide has your gifting needs covered, from solar-powered robots to tasty chemistry kits to gardening projects perfect for keeping those green thumbs busy. These science kits and crafts combine fun and learning, making it easy to dive into activities that excite, engage, and inspire. From hands-on experiments that entertain to educational gifts that expand the mind, this list has something for everyone — kids, teens, and adults alike.

The Science of Tea

The perfect gift for tea lovers, this tea blending kit lets users experiment with three different types of tea while learning about oxidization and pH testing. Users can enjoy flavors such as Darling Darjeeling and Moroccan Mint as they follow a detailed workbook and record their findings in the included mini notebook. With three teas and a tasting kit, this cozy chemistry set is perfect for anyone who’s interested in culinary science and enjoys a good cuppa.

Uncommon Goods for $40

Wind Power Turbine Kit

This wind power turbine kit that allows users to explore the wonders of wind energy by assembling a realistic wind turbine with adjustable blades and an electric generator. Through five engaging experiments, users can learn how to optimize turbine performance and use stored energy to power a small electric car. The kit includes a manual that explains different types of wind turbines and windmills and the technology behind them, making it an excellent gift for anyone interested in sustainable energy.

Amazon for $42.67

Spiral Marble Run

Teens and adults can get a unique hands-on physics lesson with this challenging 3D wooden model puzzle that doubles as eye-catching home décor. Once assembled, the 558 eco-friendly plywood parts create a perpetual motion marble run, seamlessly blending engineering and puzzle-solving. Providing hours of building fun, this kit is ideal for puzzle fans and anyone curious about mechanical physics.

Amazon for $89.90

Window Garden

Perfect for little hands and engaging for the whole family, this cute window garden encourages little ones — or anyone! — to learn about plant science. These suction-cup planters allow users to grow their own green beans and squash right on their window, watching the plants sprout leaves and roots before eventually using their harvest in the kitchen. This educational introduction to plant biology is the perfect hands-on gardening project for curious budding botanists.

KiwiCo for $16.95

Edible Chemistry Kit

Introduce curious chemists to an exciting and tasty variety of chemical reactions with this edible chemistry kit. Featuring easy-to-follow instructions for 16 experiments, users can explore the wonders of creating color-changing jelly, fizzy drinks, polymer pudding, and more. This delicious kit combines kitchen science with food-based experiments, making it the perfect gift for aspiring chemists and foodies alike.

Fat Brain Toys for $20

Crime Scene Investigation Kit

Move over, Nancy Drew: Mystery fans can try their hand at crime scene investigation with this hands-on introduction to forensic science. With a detailed experiment manual and case file, aspiring detectives can carry out a variety of lab experiments, including fingerprinting, to gather all the evidence they need and solve the case of the stolen diamonds.

Home Science Tools for $84.95

NASA Lunar Telescope

When was the last time you really looked at the stars? This gift offers a hands-on introduction to the wonders of the moon and the night sky. This sturdy, beginner-friendly telescope is equipped with optical glass, a finder scope, and a tabletop tripod. It’s perfect for backyard stargazing — and light enough to take with you on your next vacation.

Amazon for $44.95

Science Lovers Mystery Box Subscription

For the ever-curious science-loving adult in your life — or maybe it’s you? — this subscription box is the gift that keeps giving, month after month. From botanical specimens and prehistoric fossils to geological samples and lunar dust, each box is filled with mind-expanding surprises alongside research cards that encourage deeper exploration.

Uncommon Goods for $135 (3 months) or $255 (6 months)

Volcano Island Crystal Growing Kit

Dive into the magic of crystal formation with two fun kits in one. This kit allows young scientists to explore chemical reactions as a paper volcano and coral pieces absorb a special solution and slowly grow crystals through efflorescence. Kids can watch their crystals develop in real time, transforming their mini island into a colorful, sparkling landscape, making this the perfect introduction to basic chemistry concepts for kids ages 6 and up.

Uncommon Goods for $25.00

Solar-Powered Robot Kit

Kids can learn about renewable energy with this solar-powered robot kit, designed for ages 6 and up. It includes a solar panel to power eight different robot creations, from a drummer bot to an insect bot. The included manual provides insights into solar technology, helping children understand the real-world applications of this remarkable renewable energy. This eco-friendly and educational project is ideal for any budding engineers or future environmentalists!

Sharper Image for $79.99

Kristina Wright

Writer

Kristina is a coffee-fueled writer living happily ever after with her family in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia.

Original photo by Suzy Hazelwood/ Pexels

Berries have been plucked straight from the bush and eaten by humans for thousands of years. Their vibrant and versatile appeal remains strong today, and while they’re still a favorite snack in many forms, they’re also nutritional powerhouses and natural sweeteners, and their rich colors can even be used to dye fabric. Berries are a staple we certainly wouldn’t want to live without, but their complexity and diversity often goes overlooked. Here are some juicy facts about the small but mighty fruits we call berries.

Not All Fruits We Call “Berries” Are Actually Berries

Not all the food we refer to as “berries” are scientifically considered berries. The shocking truth is that fruits such as grapes, bananas, avocados, eggplants, tomatoes, and even cucumbers are biologically considered berries, but strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are not.

This distinction comes down to the way the fruit grows: True berries grow from an individual flower with one ovary, versus growing from an individual flower with multiple ovaries. The latter category — which includes strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries — are actually classified as aggregate fruits: After pollination, each ovary forms a small drupelet, and these drupelets cluster together as a group of tiny, seed-filled bumps like you see on a raspberry. Not everything you thought you knew is a lie, however: Blueberries and cranberries are indeed true berries.

“Berry” Originally Meant “Grape”

So why the confusing nomenclature around berries? The name can be traced back to the Old English word “berie,” which originally meant “grape,” as in the fruit from a grapevine. If you think of the foods we refer to as berries, they share similar characteristics to grapes: small, juicy, fleshy, and sweet.

Over time, as Europeans colonized the Americas and the English language spread, the term was applied to other fruits, such as strawberries, simply because they were small and sweet. Eventually, a more precise scientific definition of the word “berry” came along, but despite their biological classification, these fruits had already been called berries for centuries, so the name stuck.

Strawberry Seeds Aren’t Technically Seeds

One of the strawberry’s defining characteristics is its flecked flesh, dotted with a myriad of tiny seeds — often cited as an oddity given that most fruits carry their seeds on the inside. But these aren’t technically seeds at all: Each speck on a strawberry is a tiny fruit in its own right. Known as achenes, these small, dry fruits surround the real seed inside.

An average-sized strawberry has about 200 achenes, so when you eat a single strawberry, you’re actually eating hundreds of tiny fruits — ones that happen to be super rich in antioxidants. Of course, a strawberry’s red flesh is the tasty part, but it’s merely the structure, known as a receptacle, that helps protect and support the actual fruits and their seeds.

Berries Boost Your Brain

We often hear about the health benefits of eating berries: They’re rich in vitamins and high in fiber and are a great source of antioxidants, which are believed to help protect cells against damage. They may also be a great brain booster — studies have shown berries can activate a natural “housekeeping” mechanism in your brain called autophagy. This process helps clear out toxic proteins and waste that have been linked to age-related memory problems, making way for healthier cells to thrive.

In one study, blueberries and strawberries were shown to improve behavioral abnormalities and cognitive function, suggesting that regular consumption of berries can protect the brain from this oxidative stress, which is essentially an imbalance between harmful molecules and the antioxidants that protect the body.

Cranberries Were Used as Vital Medicine

Long before they became popular as a holiday side dish, cranberries were used for medicinal purposes by Native American tribes. The tart berries were ground up and used as a paste to treat wounds, purify the blood, alleviate stomach issues, and treat fevers. Cranberries were also an important food source and were often eaten raw or mixed with other ingredients including meat and fat to create something known as a pemmican — a nutritious and high-protein energy bar of sorts.

Historians also believe early American settlers ate cranberries to fight off scurvy, although the settlers didn’t fully understand the nutritional reasoning. In a time before people knew about the health properties of vitamin C, they simply thought the berry’s sour quality drew ailment-causing salt out of the body. Cranberries are still used and studied for their health benefits, including their role in supporting urinary tract health.

Those Berry Hairs Are Important

The teeny-tiny hairs on raspberries certainly give them a unique texture, but they’re also very important for the berry’s growth and perseverance. There are two different types of these hair-like structures. The fine, fuzzy, fur-like covering are the plant’s trichomes, which most non-aquatic plants have as a built-in protection mechanism. The more coarse, dried-out strands are called styles; they’re part of the raspberry plant’s reproductive organs and play a major role in helping catch the pollen that make the fruit grow. After the berries ripen, the styles dry out but stay attached, giving raspberries (and blackberries) their signature “hairy” look.

Nicole Villeneuve

Writer

Nicole is a writer, thrift store lover, and group-chat meme spammer based in Ontario, Canada.

Original photo by 22Images Studio/ Shutterstock

With more than 8 billion people on the planet, there’s bound to be a lot of variation among human bodies, and of course some traits are more common than others. For instance, while a large percentage of the population can curl their tongue, only 200,000 people in the U.S. have two different-colored eyes. Genetics play a big role in these differences, but these traits can also be the result of environmental factors or random chance.

From the prevalence of tongue curling to the rarity of heterochromia, here are six traits that demonstrate just how diverse and interesting the human body can be — and how unique we are.

Tongue Curling

Around 65% to 81% of people can roll up the sides of their tongue to form a tube-like shape. Tongue curling was once believed to be a genetic trait, passed down through dominant genes — meaning if one parent could do it, there was a good chance their child could, too. Once used in classrooms as an example of a simple genetic trait, tongue curling has been suggested by recent studies to only be partially genetic and that environment may also play a role, as some people can learn to curl their tongue over time even if they couldn’t do it instinctively.

Credit: Everett Collection Inc/ Alamy Stock Photo

Widow’s Peaks

A widow’s peak is a V-shaped point in the hairline at the center of the forehead. This genetic trait got its name in 17th-century England, when it was believed (inaccurately) to be a harbinger of early widowhood. Influenced by dominant genes and passed down from parent to child, a widow’s peak is not the same thing as a receding hairline, which is a genetic trait that occurs with age. Widow’s peaks are seen in both men and women, and while different studies have reported varying numbers, one 2021 study in Japan found that 29.6% of women and 32.8% of men possessed the distinctive hairline feature.

Facial Dimples

Facial dimples, which can be present in the cheeks and/or chin, are generally an inherited genetic trait passed down through dominant genes, though some people may still have them without a family history. Cheek dimples develop as a result of variations in facial muscle structure; they can be present on one or both cheeks and their prominence can vary over the course of a person’s life. Chin dimples, also known as cleft chins, are indentations in the middle of the chin that are caused by the improper fusion of the lower halves of the jawbones. Globally, around 20% to 30% of people have facial dimples, with cheek dimples more common among women and chin dimples more common among men.

Morton’s Toe

Morton’s toe, named for the American orthopedic surgeon Dudley Joy Morton, who first described the condition in the early 20th century, is a trait in which the second toe is longer than the big toe. It’s often genetic, caused by the relative lengths of the bones in the foot. A study of American college students found that 42.2% of participants had longer second toes, with 45.7% of men and 40.3% of women reporting the trait. Other studies around the world report a wide range of prevalence, from just 3% in one Swedish study to a whopping 90% in a study of the Indigenous Ainu population of Japan.

Hitchhiker’s Thumbs

Also known as flexible thumb or hypermobile thumb, hitchhiker’s thumb is a condition in which the thumb can bend backward at a greater angle than normal, typically more than 50 degrees. A 1953 study determined hitchhiker’s thumb to be a recessive genetic trait related to variations in the anatomy of the thumb joint and its surrounding ligaments. Hitchhiker’s thumb isn’t typically painful and doesn’t inhibit the use of the hands. There aren’t many studies about the prevalence of this trait, but researchers who conducted the study in 1953 determined that between 24.7% and 35.6% of people in the United States have this trait.

Heterochromia

Heterochromia is the technical name for when a person has two different-colored eyes or different colors within the same eye. The trait can be genetic, often caused by variations in melanin distribution, or it can result from an injury, illness, or even certain medications such as those used to treat glaucoma. While the trait is more commonly seen in certain animals including cats and dogs, around 1% of the human population has some form of heterochromia, with complete heterochromia (two distinctly different-colored eyes) being the rarest type.

Kristina Wright

Writer

Kristina is a coffee-fueled writer living happily ever after with her family in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia.

Original photo by ChristopherBernard/ iStock

Dogs are famously known as man’s best friend, but it hasn’t always been that way. Although the exact timeline isn’t known, experts believe wolves began their path to domestication somewhere between 15,000 and 40,000 years ago. In the time since, these once-wild animals have become beloved house pets by developing certain traits that engender a mutually loving, loyal, and beneficial relationship with our species. From their expressive “puppy eyes” to their affectionate behavior, here are six fascinating ways dogs adapted to endear themselves to humans.

Puppy Eyes

No one can resist the heart-melting “puppy dog eyes,” and dogs seem to know it. Over time, they have developed special muscles around their eyes that allow them to make this adorably innocent expression. By raising the eyebrows upward and inward, dogs make their eyes appear larger and more infant-like, triggering a nurturing response in humans — a definite bonding advantage. Studies show that this large muscle (known as the levator anguli oculi medialis) runs along the outer edge of a dog’s eye, helping to expose the whites of the eyes and making the animal look more “human.” Although it’s a major part of how domestic dogs communicate, the muscle is notably absent in wolves.

Understanding Humans

One of the most remarkable abilities of dogs is their deep understanding of human emotions and intentions. Dogs’ brains have evolved to interpret subtle cues that humans give, including gestures such as pointing, tone of voice, and even facial expressions. It’s a demonstration of empathy some humans even struggle with.

When a person is sad, excited, or anxious, pets seem to adjust their behavior accordingly. Of course, dogs have also evolved to understand certain sounds as they relate to actions, such as “walk” or “sit,” but recent studies suggest they may understand our language more than we know. When researchers showed dogs words and objects that either matched or didn’t match, they noticed a brain response that suggested the pups were expecting the correct object based on the word they heard — a response very similar to that of the human brain.

Barking

Barking is believed to have developed specifically as a way for dogs to communicate with humans. While wolves can bark, they typically tend to howl instead. Over time, however, our clever canines refined an almost conversational range of barks to signify different things, from excitement to danger to simply seeking attention.

Research has shown dogs’ understanding of our communication signals to be symbiotic, too: In one study, several people with differing levels of exposure to or experience with dogs listened to a series of different dog barks. They were often able to accurately identify the emotions — such as fear, happiness, or aggression — behind the noise based on factors including the pitch and the timing between barks. Of course, barking is a much more rudimentary communication system than human language, but it’s an impressive evolutionary feat nonetheless.

Credit: LittleCityLifestylePhotography/ iStock

Eye Contact

It’s not just those irresistible eyebrows that draw us into a sweet pup’s face — dogs also love to gaze right into our eyes. This soulful eye contact between dogs and humans has been shown to release oxytocin in both species. The mutual gaze and the “love hormone” it releases is not unlike the bonding behavior seen between mothers and their newborn infants. Other animals often interpret and execute direct eye contact as a threatening action, but dogs have earned our devotion by evolving to seek and maintain eye contact. This wordless communication can also be effective during training, helping dogs pick up on human commands and emotions — something at which they’re already terrifically adept.

Playing With Humans

Playfulness is another key trait dogs use to curry favor with humans. Unlike many other animals, dogs retain a youthful playfulness throughout their lives. This phenomenon of maintaining juvenile features into adulthood, known as neoteny, likely developed throughout several centuries of breeding and domestication — playful dogs had a higher chance of bonding with humans and, as a result, receiving care and sustenance.

Running your dog tired isn’t just good for their physical well-being and the quality of their subsequent rest; it also reinforces social bonds, provides mental stimulation, and helps dogs practice cooperative behaviors. But of course, it’s not all just for the pup. Play releases endorphins in both dogs and humans, creating a positive feedback loop that helps reinforce the special bond between humans and our furry friends.

Nicole Villeneuve

Writer

Nicole is a writer, thrift store lover, and group-chat meme spammer based in Ontario, Canada.

Original photo by Moussa81/ iStock

Among the fog-shrouded streets of Victorian London, where gas lamps flicker and mysteries lurk in the shadows, we find the world’s most famous detective: Sherlock Holmes. Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, Holmes and his uncanny sleuthing abilities have captivated readers for more than a century. With his razor-sharp intellect, quirky habits, and very particular set of skills, Holmes is capable of solving even the most perplexing cases, while his signature deerstalker cap, magnifying glass, and pipe have become synonymous with the art of deduction.

Here we delve into the world of Sherlock Holmes, uncovering some fascinating facts about this legendary story. Elementary, you say? Fear not, dear reader, for the game is afoot!

Credit: IanDagnall Computing/ Alamy Stock Photo

Sherlock Holmes Was Inspired by a Real Person

Sherlock Holmes may be a fictional character, but he wasn’t solely conjured from Doyle’s imagination. The author modeled his detective’s methods and mannerisms on those of Dr. Joseph Bell, who was his professor at the University of Edinburgh. Bell was a charismatic teacher who amazed his students with demonstrations in which he could determine a patient’s occupation and other personal details just by studying the patient’s appearance and behavior.

In 1892, Doyle wrote to Bell, “It is most certainly to you that I owe Sherlock Holmes, and though in the stories I have the advantage of being able to place him in all sorts of dramatic positions I do not think that his analytical work is in the least an exaggeration of some effects which I have seen you produce in the outpatient ward.”

Credit: Heritage Images/ Hulton Archive via Getty Images

Sherlock’s Iconic Hat Is Never Mentioned in Doyle’s Stories

The classic image of Sherlock Holmes almost always depicts him as wearing a deerstalker cap. Holmes’ headwear is so iconic that it’s become stereotypical among the fictional detectives who succeeded him, especially those of the comical variety. (Detective Pikachu, for example, wears a deerstalker in the Pokémon video games and the associated film.) Doyle, however, never explicitly mentions the deerstalker at any point in the entire Holmes canon.

The distinctive hunting cap only became associated with Holmes through the illustrations of Sidney Paget, who drew the detective in 38 stories for The Strand Magazine between 1891 and 1908. Paget first portrayed Holmes with a deerstalker — a hat normally associated with hunting and shooting in rural areas — in an October 1891 story called The Boscombe Valley Mystery, because the story takes place in the countryside. The image stuck, and the hat became part of Holmes’ signature look in all his future mysteries, including those with urban settings.

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221B Baker Street Didn’t Really Exist — Until It Did

According to Doyle’s stories, 221B Baker Street — one of literature’s most famous addresses — is where Holmes lived in London from 1881 to 1904. When the stories were written, however, Baker Street was a real location but Holmes’ exact residence was not, as the house numbers only went into the 100s. In the 1930s, the street was extended and the Abbey National Building Society moved into the premises occupying 219 to 229 Baker Street. The new occupant soon began receiving fan mail addressed to Holmes. Rather than simply dispose of the letters, however, Abbey National hired someone to answer the mail while posing as Holmes’ secretary or even Sherlock himself — something it continued to do until moving headquarters in the 2000s. The Sherlock Holmes Museum, which opened in 1990, is now located at 221B Baker Street.

For Sherlock Holmes, One Woman Stood Above All Others

In a world where Sherlock Holmes consistently outwits everyone around him, one character stands out as his match: Irene Adler. Appearing in the short story “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Adler is the only woman to have ever outsmarted Holmes. She’s also one of the few people to earn his genuine admiration. Out of respect, Holmes refers to her as “the woman,” and Doyle writes that “in his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex.” Adler’s character has been expanded upon in numerous adaptations and is often portrayed as a love interest for Holmes — but in Doyle’s original story, Holmes’ admiration for her is purely intellectual.

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Sherlock Holmes Holds a Guinness World Record

Sherlock Holmes holds the Guinness World Record for the most portrayed human literary character in film and TV. When the record was bestowed on Holmes in 2012, he had been portrayed 254 times in various films and TV shows. At least 75 different actors have played the super sleuth, including Christopher Lee, Charlton Heston, Peter O’Toole, Roger Moore, John Cleese, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Robert Downey Jr. Even more adaptations remain in development, proving Holmes remains as popular and mesmerizing as ever, nearly a century and a half after he solved his first mystery.

Tony Dunnell

Writer

Tony is an English writer of nonfiction and fiction living on the edge of the Amazon jungle.

Original photo by Creative Space Studio/ Shutterstock

Each year, at the beginning of November, people in Mexico and many other parts of Latin America celebrate Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead. It’s not as somber as it may sound: People open their homes to warmly welcome back the spirits of lost loved ones with food, drink, and fun festivities more akin to a family reunion than a funeral.

While there are some shared elements between the two celebrations, the Day of the Dead is not the same thing as Halloween: Its roots extend back thousands of years, originating from ancient Mesoamerican customs that, over time, fused with Spanish culture. Today, the holiday’s distinctive sugar skull imagery is widely recognized, and the success of films such as Pixar’s Coco has introduced the Day of the Dead to a whole new audience. But these hardly scratch the surface of the holiday’s rich traditions. Here are five fascinating facts about the Day of the Dead that may be new to you.

It’s Not Quite Mexico’s Version of Halloween

Despite its famous skull and skeleton imagery — and the fact that it’s celebrated very close to October 31 — the Day of the Dead isn’t the same as Halloween. Rooted in ancient Mesoamerican traditions and observed primarily on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration of life and death that honors deceased loved ones.

The holiday wasn’t widely celebrated by Latinos in the U.S. until the 1970s and 1980s; around this time, artists and activists introduced the tradition to their communities as part of the Chicano movement, which promoted Mexican American heritage and empowerment. As the holiday became more visible in the U.S., its similarities meant it often got lumped in with spooky season, and in recent years, the holiday has indeed begun adopting certain Halloween traditions.

Children celebrating in Mexico now often dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating during the week leading up to the Day of the Dead, and the festive decor has started incorporating cobwebs, witches, and pumpkins. As the holiday continues to make room for new traditions such as candy and creepy stuff, the Day of the Dead remains a distinct cultural celebration that goes beyond spooky aesthetics, ultimately celebrating life in death.

A Special Kind of Bread Is Made for the Deceased

An essential part of Day of the Dead celebrations are the ofrendas, or altars, that families set up to honor the spirits of deceased loved ones. The ofrendas typically feature multiple tiers representing heaven, Earth, and purgatory. Candles light the way for spirits returning to the living world, while a special Mexican sweet bread known as pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, awaits the hungry souls of the dearly departed.

The bread is similar in texture to challah breads, flavored with anise and orange, and usually coated with sugar — it’s sometimes even made in the shape of little skulls. By the time the holiday is over, the bread is said to have no smell or taste left to it; the dead have supposedly eaten it all.

There’s a Day for Children and a Day for Adults

Although it’s known as the Day — singular — of the Dead, there are in fact two distinct days in the celebration. The first day, November 1, is also known as Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) and is dedicated to remembering and celebrating children who have departed. The second day, November 2, focuses on receiving the souls of deceased adults. The two celebrations don’t differ much aside from the offerings left on the ofrenda: In addition to the standard sugar skulls, candles, and food, toys may be offered up on the children’s day, while older family members may be remembered with other favorite personal items such as a piece of clothing or an offering of alcohol.

Marigolds Are Used To Attract the Deceased

Of the many colorful Day of the Dead traditions, the marigold flower shines as not only one of the most vibrant, but also one of the most crucial. Marigolds are traditionally known as cempasúchil in the Aztec language Nahuatl; the word means “twenty flower” and is taken from the many defined petals of the native Mexican plant.

Marigolds bloom in abundance across Mexico throughout October and November and have been used for decorative and medicinal purposes as far back as the Maya and Aztec civilizations. During Day of the Dead preparations, families arrange the flowers’ bright orange and yellow blossoms in intricate patterns on ofrendas and at gravesites. They’re more than just a pretty decoration, though — marigolds’ strong, musky scent is believed to beckon the spirits and help guide them along their journey back home.

Hairless Dogs and Monarch Butterflies are Important Day of the Dead Critters

The most identifiable Day of the Dead imagery may be the painted sugar skulls and sunny marigolds, but they’re not the holiday’s only significant symbols. A breed of hairless dogs known as Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolos, hold a special place in Mexican culture and are often featured in the celebrations. It’s not unusual to see them draped in flowers and wearing sugar skull costumes. The ancient pup gets its name from two Aztec words: Xolotl, the god of lightning and death, who was believed to guide souls through the underworld, and itzcuintli, meaning dog. Like its namesake, the Xolo is believed to help guide returning spirits for the holiday — a loyal companion in both life and death.

The magnificent monarch butterfly also makes its presence known on this momentous occasion. As the orange-and-black beauties migrate south each year, their arrival in Mexico coincides perfectly with the Day of the Dead celebrations. The Aztec people have long held butterflies in high regard, viewing them as the souls of fallen warriors. Today, the winged creatures are believed to be vessels for the souls of the departed, returning home to celebrate with their beloved families.

Nicole Villeneuve

Writer

Nicole is a writer, thrift store lover, and group-chat meme spammer based in Ontario, Canada.

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