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Why do we get dizzy after spinning?

The short answer

The liquid in the tiny loops deep inside your ears keeps moving a little longer after you stop. Your ears say you are still spinning while your eyes say you are standing still.

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Watch it in about a minute, here or on YouTube

Stop spinning, and the whole room seems to keep turning. Your ears are playing a trick on your brain.

What is inside your ears?

Deep inside each ear are three tiny loops filled with liquid. Tiny hairs feel the liquid move and send signals to your brain.

Illustration from the video: What is inside your ears?

Illustration from the video: What is inside your ears?

What happens when you spin?

As you spin, the liquid starts swirling along with you. When you stop, the liquid keeps swirling a little longer, just like tea keeps turning after you stop stirring.

Illustration from the video: What happens when you spin?

Illustration from the video: What happens when you spin?

Who should your brain believe?

So your ears tell your brain you are still spinning, but your eyes say you are standing still. Your confused brain makes the whole room seem to spin.

Illustration from the video: Who should your brain believe?

Illustration from the video: Who should your brain believe?

Illustration from the video: one more thing

One more thing

Ballet dancers can spin again and again and barely feel dizzy. Years of practice teach their brains to turn those signals down.

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