mental perception of your body

[Johnka]

Here's a neat experiment showing how our brain creates our body image.

The researchers, led by Dr. H. Henrik Ehrsson of University College London, fooled 17 people into feeling as if they were getting skinnier by outfitting them with gadgets that stimulated a tendon in each wrist to create the false sensation that both hands were moving inward.

Next thing you know, wrist electrodes will replace stomach stapling. People will remain fat, but they'll think that they are thin. I can see it now, a morbily obese guy walks up to a beautiful blonde in a bar with all the confidence in the world.

[OldGuy]

I can see it now, a morbily obese guy walks up to a beautiful blonde in a bar with all the confidence in the world.

Hey, have you been watching me? I do it all the time.

[Terry Monk]

well, you know Dr. John, anything to make life easier... Yeah, hate to think people would have to actually work to feel that way. Crazy.

[gobbla]

I've been using a simular method for years. I don't look at a mirror without strait back, stomach sucked in, mabey a little quick flex here and there.

the rest of the day is spent gorging and sitting hunched over in front of a computer!

[JoshDunn]

I guess its a simple idea.

Proprioceptors send signals to your brain (thalamus which then send to primary sensory area in the parietal lobe-for the geeks like myself) to tell where your muscles and joints are. (you can still walk in the dark)

Take away vision so you can't see the truth, and attach something to a few receptors that makes them seem closer together and you've done it.

Was trying to work out how they did that, and i think thats how.

Pretty kewl experiment.

JOSH

[castufari]

I work with a rather large person (I don't think it is a physical problem, she drinks a ton of coke each day) who moves down the hallway like she's some hottie. It's the hottie who moves down the hallway like she's nothing special that kills me.

Good read, thanks John.