Amazing mind-body links

Body scholars like to say that everything is connected: mind-body-spirit and so on. Here’s an astonishing example, reported in ScienceDaily (April 27, 2009) “Wimps Hear Dangerous Noises Differently.”

Research scientists set up a simple experiment in which subjects were asked to identify the position of a “looming,” possibly dangerous sound. The team discovered that individuals with greater upper body strength and/or cardiovascular fitness allowed the noise to come closer. In contrast, people in poor condition gave themselves a greater margin of safety.

This behavior was surely unconscious; one more example of the body being smart enough to protect itself without rational intervention.