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Our senses shape the way we experience the world. They influence how we see, hear, taste, touch and smell everything around us. It seems overtime, there has been countless misconceptions about our sensory systems have taken root- some so deeply engrained they are rarely questioned. Can humans really taste different flavours on specific parts of the tongue? Does vision truly deteriorate because of screens? Are our senses as reliable as we think?
In this blog, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of sensory science, uncovering the truth behind some of the most common sensory myths. Untangling the facts from the fiction and discovering just how remarkable (and surprising) our sensory systems are.

1. Humans have only 5 senses.
From a young age we are taught that humans have five senses, sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. However, humans aren’t just limited to these. You have your vestibular sense (balance), proprioception (body position), thermoception (temperature), and nociception (pain). All of these sensed we don’t consider in our day to day lives but their role contributes to our understanding of the world just as much as the basic five.
2. The Myth of the map of the tongue.
Taste is an interesting sense. We all perceive taste differently; many people believe it’s because of the map of the tongue and how each map can differ from person to person. It is believed that each part of the tongue is responsible for different tastes, sweet, salty, umami, etc. However, this is not true. In reality, taste receptors are spread throughout the tongue, and all areas of the tongue can detect all tastes. It’s hard to believe that this myth is taught in some schools and can even be found in textbooks, despite studies proving it to be false.
3. You can train your senses to become ‘Superhuman’.
Many believe that you can train your senses, to reach a “superhuman” level where your abilities are considered far beyond the typical human range, however there is a biological limit to our sensory abilities. Despite this, through dedicated training and sensory exercises, you can greatly enhance your perception in areas, pushing them closer to their maximum potential.
4. Smell and Taste are the same senses.
Smell and Taste are different senses, although they are closely connected, and both contribute to flavour perception. Taste is a sensation that comes from the tastebuds on the tongue, roof of the mouth and back of the throat. Smell is a sensation that comes from nerve endings in your nose. Both senses can heavily influence how you perceive the other, which is why food can seem tasteless when you have a cold.
5. Eyes send a perfect image to your brain.
The eyes don’t send a perfect image to the brain; it prioritises efficiency over perfection. The brain provides fragments of data like light, edges and movement. The brain processes this incomplete, upside-down input and fills in gaps using context, memory and assumptions, creating coherent perception of the world. Optical illusions and phenomena like blind spots highlight how vision relies on interpretation rather than accuracy. Ultimately, what we see is a mental reconstruction, not an exact reflection of reality.

Exploring sensory myths reveal just how much misinformation surrounds the way we perceive the world. By separating fact from fiction, we can better understand the intricate systems that help us to see, hear, taste, smell and touch. Our senses are not only more sophisticated than myths suggest but they also demonstrate the incredible adaptability of the human body.