Humans have only 5 senses.

When we think of human senses we think of eyesight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Yet we have always known that we are capable of sensing much more than this. Exactly what, however, is still subject to ongoing scientific research.

Neuroscientists are well aware that we are a bundle of senses. We have anywhere between 22 and 33 different senses. Here are some of our lesser-known ones:

Equilibrioception – a sense of balance. This is what keeps us upright, and helps us make our way around without getting hurt. Proprioception – knowing which parts of your body are where without looking. It’s how we can type without looking at the keyboard, for instance, or walk around without having to watch our feet.

Kinaesthesia – sense of movement.

Thermoception – we know whether our environment is too cold or too hot. Being able to sense the temperature around us helps keep us alive and well.

Nociception – the ability to feel pain.

Chronoception – how we sense the passing of time.