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Some humans have superpowers – and scientists can explain it

Superpowers exist. Sure, we can’t pull out giant claws like Wolverine from the X-Men or shoot force rays from our eyes like Cyclops, but according to scientists, our bodies and brains have the potential to perform many seemingly superhuman feats. .

It sometimes happens that superpowers are born from genetic mutations, a bit like in comics about the origins of superheroes. The Sherpas of the Himalayas, for example, have adapted to high altitude thanks to genes that increase their strength and endurance tenfold.

Other superpowers, however, can be acquired. Fans of mind sports, who achieve incredible feats of memorization, argue that anyone can develop a sharp mind. Fear itself can be overcome with proper preparation, as shown in the story of mountain climber Alex Honnold, who was compared to Spider-Man for scaling rock faces without the aid of ropes.

Scientists are just beginning to understand what happens inside the bodies and minds of people with these extraordinary abilities. And according to researchers, if genes can confer an advantage on certain individuals, most of us have untapped potential.

Here are some of the superheroes hiding among us.

For many people, just looking at a photo of Alex Honnold dangling over the edge of a precipice by the force of his fingers alone is enough to send their brains into red alert.

This is not the case with Honnold’s brain. Scientists made a surprising discovery in 2016 after scanning the famous mountaineer’s brain using functional MRI. When the researchers made him view images supposed to provoke intense activity in the amygdala, this region of the brain associated with fear, Alex Honnold’s amygdala did not react at all.

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