Most of us learned in school that humans have five senses, but many scientists say our bodies rely on far more than that. Depending on how individual sensory systems are classified, researchers have identified more than 20 distinct senses, including those that help us maintain balance, sense body position, detect pain, regulate temperature, and recognize hunger and thirst. Even more fascinating, these senses don’t work independently—your brain constantly combines information from multiple senses, so what you smell can influence how food tastes, and other sensory cues can shape how you experience the world.
