A new study has found that while the human nervous system responds most intensely to haptic, or touch-based, sensations, people tend to perceive sounds and music as more stimulating.
The research, led by scientists at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering, analysed how the skin reacts to images, sounds and physical touch. Physiological data showed the strongest involuntary responses were triggered by touch. Yet, participants reported feeling more aroused or stimulated by auditory cues such as music.
According to the researchers, this mismatch highlights a subtle but important disconnect between the body’s automatic physiological responses and the brain’s subjective perception of stimulation. The findings help bridge a longstanding gap between what the body does and what the mind thinks it experiences, the team noted.
