Hey Vat19 fan! 

Ever wonder about the science behind gross things? What makes one thing curiously awesome while something else is viewed as disgusting? Check out the top 5 things you need to know!

Some scientists say disgust is an essential component of all of human life: from appetite to hygiene and even etiquette! 

Scientists say it is made up of six “basic” emotions: fear, disgust, anger, surprise, sadness, and happiness.

Going back to Darwin, scientists argue we are born with an innate sense of disgust to help us from eating things that could make us sick. The smell of poop, garbage, and infestations is pretty much universally viewed as gross!

The classic “yuck” face involves squeezing your nose and mouth shut. It is thought to be a built-in reflex to reject smells and tastes that could make us sick!

The areas of the brain activated by gross foods are also activated when somebody does something morally wrong (like stealing). 

When someone does something wrong it might ACTUALLY leave a gross taste in your mouth!

When a food (ex. bad meat or too much drink…) makes us sick we quickly develop a “taste aversion” to it. Our favorite flavor can suddenly become disgusting! 

On the other hand, you can (eventually) get used to pretty much anything! Some parents no longer find poop to be as disgusting when daily diaper changes become a thing!