10 Things Your Body Does That Will Make You Want to Know More

The human body is a complex and intriguing machine that ceaselessly carries out a plethora of functions necessary to sustain life. Yet, beyond our awareness, it also performs some magnificently bizarre actions that might pique your interest. From gender-swapping livers to the presence of extra ribs, the body operates in ways we scarcely comprehend.

1. Belly buttons can get lint in them.

Lint is composed of tiny fibers that originate from materials like cotton, wool, or other fabrics. These fibers have the tendency to detach from your clothing, bedding, or furniture, especially when you sweat or engage in physical activities. Eventually, they can end up on your skin. In fact, the belly button can become a prime spot for lint to accumulate.

2. The male liver can become “feminized” when damaged.

Recent research has unveiled a surprising phenomenon: the liver in numerous male individuals, both human and mice, has the ability to transform its gender when it experiences damage. While this may sound unusual, in essence, the liver can modify its circadian clock and tweak a few hormones in order to enhance its defenses when exposed to a high-fat diet. It is believed that the protective qualities of the female hormone estrogen play a significant role in facilitating this process.

3. Kids have more taste buds than adults.

Kids have more taste buds than adults because they are still developing their sense of taste. Adults have about 1,000 taste buds, while kids have about 30,000 taste buds. This means that kids are more sensitive to taste and can taste more subtle flavors than adults.

4. Some people can tickle themselves.

Tickling oneself is a near-impossible feat for most people. This is because the tickling sensation thrives on surprise; our brains detect and regulate these sensations before they can produce the intended effect. However, there are exceptions. Individuals with traits resembling schizophrenia can tickle themselves, as their brains fail to distinguish the voluntary nature of the sensations. In such cases, the element of surprise is bypassed, allowing them to experience self-induced ticklishness.

5. Some people have an extra rib.

While most individuals possess a total of 24 ribs, divided into 12 pairs, it is possible to have an additional rib on either the right, left, or both sides. Interestingly, this extra rib is present from birth and can sometimes go unnoticed throughout a person’s entire life. It may even escape detection on an X-ray, as it can appear as a slender strand of tissue fibers. Although the idea might sound concerning, extra ribs typically pose no harm unless they exert pressure on a blood vessel or nerve.

6. Some people have “golden blood”.

You may have heard the notion that members of royal families have “blue blood.” However, let’s take that concept an extra step and delve into the realm of “golden blood.” This term refers to a highly precious and scarce blood type called Rhnull, which completely lacks Rh antigens. In 1961, the first individual documented to possess this extraordinary blood type was an indigenous Australian. Since then, only approximately 50 individuals have been identified with this remarkably rare characteristic.

Bonus:

• Occasionally, babies are born with a fully developed tooth that is already present in their gums.
• Sneezing is a natural bodily function that helps to clear the airways. Holding in a sneeze can cause the pressure in the head to build up, which can damage the eardrums and lead to hearing loss.
• Fingerprints develop in the womb, between the 10th and 19th weeks of gestation.
• The nails on your dominant hand tend to grow faster than the nails on your non-dominant hand.

Just when you thought you had uncovered all there is to know about our bodies, get ready to be taken aback by a revelation that will make you question the very nature of sleep and bedtime themselves.