The Creepiest Facts About The Human Body

Sketches of the human anatomy
Annie Spratt /Unsplash

We all know that the human body is very complex.

But even with all the recorded and available science, there are certain things about our bodies that continue to elude us, and medical experts can still get stumped about how the human form reacts unpredictably.


Curious to discover some of the mystifying yet unsettling truths about our anatomy, Redditor Hot_Banana_Ice-cream asked:

"What is a creepy fact about the human body?"

Now, observe this.

Visceral Reaction

"If you wear glasses which vertically inverts your vision long enough, your brain will correct it, and you'll see things normal. But when your take those glasses off, everything will look upside-down again until brain recalibrates again."

– shadow29warrior

Brain Assessment

"Our brain filters out a lot of what we see along with just straight making sh*t up based on extrapolation."

– AdmiralClover

The Experiment

"My favorite is the blind spot at the center of each eye, where the optic nerve is."

"A lot of people don't even know it exists, and even if they do, it is bigger than people often think."

"And it's also really easy to demonstrate to people if you know how. It's one of my favorite bar tricks - all you need is a pen and a napkin to draw a cross and a dot."

https://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/capsules/experience_jaune06.html

Alternate demo: https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chvision.html

"Edit: If it doesn't work, you're doing something wrong - not getting close enough, the image is too small on your phone, you're not closing the correct eye or not keeping your gaze fixed on the cross."

"It isn't because you don't have a blind spot. Unless you're a squid, you have a blind spot. All vertebrates have them."

– M0dusPwnens

The workings of our innards are out of this world.

The intestines are covered by a double "fleece" of peritoneum. See it like a blanket.

When your intestines get damaged for whatever reason, this blanket starts moving out of itself and crawling upwards towards the place which has the injury. It will stay there until the injury is recovered. And then move on again.

Maybe not the most creepy fact, but definitely interesting in my opinion.

Do Do That Doo-Doo

"We don't just have one anal sphincter. When poo comes along it passes another inner sphincter which isn't under voluntary control."

"Sensory cells can detect whether you're about to pass gas or solid. From toddler age on, you can decide to go or not to go. If the time isn't right (e.g. at a friend's house or no toilet nearby), the inner sphincter can push the poo back and store it there for later."

"That's why sometimes if you need to do a number two but don't go, the urge goes away after about 20 minutes later. (But seriously, go if you can. Constipation risk.)"

"Gas can't be pushed back so easily, so we sometimes toot by accident when moving or engaging the core."

– bmb00zld

The Same Lining

"The inside of your cheek and your rectum are lined by the same type of tissue."

– GasTsnk87

You don't always have control of your body.

Taste Of Curiosity

"The front of your tongue is curious, constantly patrolling, and autonomous. It chases the dentist around your mouth and you aren’t even aware of it. So embarrassing and weird/creepy."

– AdeleBerncastel

Licking Partner

"In dental school, I learned this fact when practicing taking impressions on each other. My buddy’s tongue kept licking my finger. I asked him to quit licking me, and he was like 'I can’t help it!' And then we switched places and my tongue wouldn’t leave him alone.And for those of you that don’t think your tongue does this: some of you are right. But the majority of you just think your tongue is behaving, but it is all over the place without you even knowing."

– recoveringcultmember

Dancing With The Dead

"Bodies will move as they’re coming out of rigor. I’ve been bumped by a few (I’m a coroner). Bodies can also make sounds as the remaining air/ gas leaves… 2am in the morgue and I thought I was in COD zombies."

– Jar-JarShotFirst69

Wonder of wonders.

The Only Way Out

"When you get laser tattoo removal the ink doesn’t disappear, you pee it out."

"Your body’s immune system breaks down the pigments of ink and it flows in your blood stream, gets processed through your kidneys, then you pee out the ink."

– Fine_wonderland

Our soul-containing vessel is a mysterious wonder unique to us.

We should do whatever it takes to take great care of it because it's the only one we've got.

If we don't, they might turn on us.

People Share The Most Unsettling Facts About Themselves
Atharva Tulsi/Unsplash

CW: suicide.

Most people can be very guarded because of their vulnerabilities, even if you think you know them really well.

These disconcerting memories or character traits are better left undisclosed, for they can be painful for individuals to revisit or acknowledge.

On the other hand, opening up about these disturbing facts can also be therapeutic as long as they are revealed anonymously.

Keep reading...Show less

We never leave two movies feeling the same way.

In some cases, we are so moved by what we just saw, that we are sobbing so loudly, we're getting concerned looks from our fellow moviegoers.

In other cases, we waste no time in leaving, as we have just spent two hours or so of our lives we'll never get back again watching something which could have been made by second graders.

And then, there are the times when we leave the theatre, and all we can think is, "what the f*ck?"

Not necessarily because it was bad, but because we can't process exactly what we just saw.

It could be something we can appreciate more over time, with repeat viewings... how many views did it take you to fully understand Inception? Be honest!

Or, we are befuddled beyond words as to how such an inane, amateurish creation ever saw the light of day.

Keep reading...Show less

Franklin D. Roosevelt once famously said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Words of encouragement to all Americans during his inaugural address, as America was in the midst of the great depression, with countless people having lost their jobs, their homes, and even their will to live.

While America did, indeed, bounce back, it hasn't stopped people from constantly living in fear.

Sadly, we're not talking about unfounded fears, such as ghosts or superstitions.

Unfortunately, there is plenty to be afraid of in this world, and horrifying evidence to prove it.

Keep reading...Show less