Why does placing an object near your forehead cause an uncomfortable feeling?

  • Thread starter KLscilevothma
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation discusses a phenomenon in which a person can feel dizzy when someone points their finger near their forehead without actually touching their skin. This effect is not a placebo and can be felt even with closed eyes. Some speculate that it may be related to acupuncture points or the anticipation of being touched, while others suggest trying the experiment with a wet face. Overall, the conversation ends with the confirmation that the phenomenon does indeed work.
  • #1
KLscilevothma
322
0
In the picture, you can see a red spot and a blue "stick". If you place your finger or a pen at the position of the blue stick at the area of the red spot, you'll feel dizzy even if you close your eyes. The finger / pen should be put as close as possible near your forehead without touching your skin. (I hope you can understand what I mean) Why is it so ?

www.geocities.com/bridgestein/face.jpg
 
Last edited:
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
I don't know if anyone else has got the same problem but I could not get the link to work, sorry.
 
  • #3
I got a dead link too.
 
  • #5
Hmm... I don't feel dizzy. Maybe it's a placebo effect?
 
  • #6
Hmm... I don't feel dizzy. Maybe it's a placebo effect?

What is placebo effect ?

Perhaps I wasn't specific enough. You can move your finger from the mid point of your eyes up by about 0.3 - 1.5 cm, there should be a particular point which can make you feel uncomfortable. Your finger should be just 0.2-0.6 mm above your skin (ie should be as close as possible). Some of my friends tried and it really works.
 
  • #8
Originally posted by KL Kam
What is placebo effect ?

Perhaps I wasn't specific enough. You can move your finger from the mid point of your eyes up by about 0.3 - 1.5 cm, there should be a particular point which can make you feel uncomfortable. Your finger should be just 0.2-0.6 mm above your skin (ie should be as close as possible). Some of my friends tried and it really works.

The placebo effect...BOULDERHEAD LINK...basically, FZ+ was saying that you think you will be dizzy therefore you are dizzy.

I think you must focus in on the end of your finger to feel dizzy, other than that, my Ajana gets stimulated
 
  • #9
FZ+ was saying that you think you will be dizzy therefore you are dizzy.

I think you must focus in on the end of your finger to feel dizzy,

My friend pointed her finger in front of my forehead and I felt dizzy without knowing this method can in fact make a person dizzy. So I don't think it is a psychological effect.It works even if you close your eyes! You can feel when your friend points a finger to your forehead.
 
  • #10
I felt nothing.
 
  • #11
I got a little dizzy. But I'm drinking beer.
 
  • #12
It used to happen to me when I was a child, but it doesn't happen anymore.
 
  • #13
Put your finger at the mid point of your eyes (or move up 1-2 cm from that point) for at least 1 minute. YOur finger should be as close as your skin. I think I'm not a freak or I have any supernatural power! :smile:

Well in fact I'm thinking of whether this phenomenon is related to the theory behind acupuncture or acupuncture points.
 
  • #14
I didn't get dizzy, but my hand sure did get sore. Wow, there's some real powerful voodoo at work here...
 
  • #15
I think it has something to do with you anticpating being touched by the pen. I wonder if your eyes were closed and you didn't know if they pen were there if it would work. I tried to do something like that, it seemed different to me.
 
  • #16
Originally posted by amos behavin
I got a little dizzy. But I'm drinking beer.
I'll try that.

And maybe the pen thing again too...

I didn't get dizzy, but my hand sure did get sore. Wow, there's some real powerful voodoo at work here...
My hand got tired and I almost fell asleep. But then that could be the beer.
 
  • #17
yeah, I've always wondered about that too ! I know what you mean, it feels like the pen is touching your skin, but it isn't. Its a kinda itchy feeling for me.

I think its the fact that you are anticipating to be touched that gives the feeling.
 
  • #18
But I have some reservations. I remember some experiments that took place regarding tickling. Basically, it is impossible to tickle yourself, because the motor cortex "warns" your perceptual neurones beforehand as to self-inflicted sensations. If the dizziness is related, then this should also be true.

Hmm... I have an idea... Wet your face and then repeat the experiment, or get a friend to do it again. Do you still feel dizzy?
 
  • #19
I tried it along my entire face...felt exactly the same-nothing.
 
  • #20
i just noticed this post but can't participate

the link is dead

is this jpg posted anywhere else?
 
  • #21
screwball, please copy and paste the following link in your browser instead of just clicking on it, then you'll be able to see the picture.
www.geocities.com/bridgestein/face.jpg

Good luck screwball

But I have some reservations. I remember some experiments that took place regarding tickling. Basically, it is impossible to tickle yourself, because the motor cortex "warns" your perceptual neurones beforehand as to self-inflicted sensations. If the dizziness is related, then this should also be true.

Hmm... I have an idea... Wet your face and then repeat the experiment, or get a friend to do it again. Do you still feel dizzy?

I'll get my friend to do it again tomorrow, and will try this experiment on at least 3 of my classmates, see if they can feel the same. I wet my face and did it again, and I really could feel something. As I've said before, one day, my friend pointed her finger at my forehead suddenly, I felt a little bit dizzy after a while (about 10-15 seconds), and then she asked me how I felt. Perhaps I shouldn't use the word "dizzy", well, at least you should have uncomfortable feeling.

I'll tell you the result of the experiment tomorrow.
 
  • #22
um...school was closed on monday due to bad weather...

I tried this trick to my classmates, to my surprise, some of them knew it already.

It really works, no matter your eyes are closed or opened. You can really feel something if you point your finger at the point indicated in the attached picture. Perhaps i didn't explain the method very clearly...
 
  • #23
I wouldn't describe the effect as "becoming dizzy" or even as an "itch", but more generally as an "uncomfortable feeling". The effect was greatest the first couple times and now after doing it 20-25 times, I hardly feel it. It appears to have very little to no effect when my eyes are closed.

I think the reason it happens is because your brain is alarmed at something being so close to your eyes, normally you blink or move away to protect your eyes, but since you are resisting these actions, your brain makes you feel uncomfortable. After a while, it gets used to your finger/pen/whatever being there so the feeling subsides.
 

What is the placebo effect?

The placebo effect is a phenomenon in which a person experiences a positive or negative therapeutic effect after receiving a treatment that has no active ingredients or therapeutic value. This effect is believed to be caused by a person's belief or expectation that the treatment will work.

How does the placebo effect work?

The exact mechanism of how the placebo effect works is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve the brain and its ability to produce physiological changes. When a person believes that a treatment will work, the brain may release natural painkillers and other chemicals that can improve symptoms.

Is the placebo effect real?

Yes, the placebo effect is a real and well-documented phenomenon. It has been observed in various medical trials and studies, including those involving pain relief, depression, and even surgeries.

Can anyone experience the placebo effect?

Yes, anyone can experience the placebo effect, regardless of age, gender, or health status. However, some people may be more susceptible to the placebo effect than others, and the strength of the effect can vary from person to person.

What are some examples of the placebo effect?

Some examples of the placebo effect include a person feeling better after taking a sugar pill, a patient experiencing pain relief after a fake injection, or a person's mood improving after receiving a fake antidepressant. The placebo effect can also occur in non-medical situations, such as when a person's performance is improved by a sugar pill they believe to be a performance-enhancing drug.

Similar threads

Replies
32
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • General Discussion
Replies
14
Views
22K
Replies
19
Views
12K
  • General Discussion
Replies
4
Views
585
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
28
Views
31K
Back
Top