Some humans can sense Earth's magnetic field, suggests study

[Judi Lynn]

A trait known as magnetoreception.

By Amit Malewar - March 19, 2019

Magnetoreception, the perception of the geomagnetic field, is a sensory modality well-established across all major groups of vertebrates and some invertebrates, but its presence in humans has been tested rarely, yielding inconclusive results.

Now, in a new experiment, scientists suggest that the human brain can potentially respond to the Earth’s magnetic field, at an unconscious level. Well, it is yet to be clear that this ability to sense magnetic field is useful in some way, as it is likely a vestigial trait left over from our more primitive past.

Based on the discovery, scientists should take a top forward towards determining if magnetoreception is somehow contributing to our behavior or abilities, such as spatial orientation.

To test whether the human brain is capable of magnetoreception, and to do so in a reliable manner, scientists set up a rather elaborate experiment involving a chamber specially designed to filter out any extraneous interference that might influence the results.

More:
https://www.techexplorist.com/some-humans-sense-earths-magnetic-field-suggests-study/21730/

[DetlefK]

1. Carrier-pigeons have two senses of magnetism:

1.
In nerve-tissue in the beak (IIRC) they have magnetic nanoparticles bonded to tiny valves that regulate the ion-rich liquid flowing in the nerve-cells. Depending on which direction they are looking at, the magnetic force forces the nanoparticle to open or close the valve, and this creates or interrupts nerve-signals.
From this, carrier-pigeons know the direction of a magnetic field.

2.
In their eyes there is a chemical reaction in a dynamic equilibrium: Two chemicals, let's call them A and B, are permanently transforming into each other, back and forth, back and forth. The chemical reaction is sensitive to magnetic fields, which means the ratio of how much A and how much B there is, that depends on the strength of the magnetic field.
From this, carrier-pigeons know how strong the magnetic field is.



I have never heard that the human brain has magnetic nanoparticles, so my guess how humans do it is option number two.

[Laffy Kat]

2. Does it work in reverse?

Ever since I can remember, I have been spatially impaired. It's so bad I consider it a mild handicap. I know others like me, too.

[2naSalit]

3. That's interesting

It needs a lot more study. I wonder if it's just something we've come to ignore because we're supposed to be different from other species because specialness.


I wonder why I have to sleep in a N-S orientation. And why do I mess up clocks?

[RestoreAmerica2020]

4. Thank you for post. Fascinating topic. Will research further.

[caraher]

5. I had a friend who claimed to have this ability

She had a standing challenge: stop her at random moments, anywhere, and ask her to point north. I never saw her fail, but that's also not a scientific observation on my part...

[MicaelS]

6. Some people have claimed to have an absolute sense of direction.

This is probably why.

[csziggy]

7. Is that why people claim there are ley lines?

Which seem to connect holy sites: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line