Researchers in the UK found that like children with plenty of sugar and free space to play, great apes — including gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans — deliberately spin in circles to make themselves dizzy. By analyzing videos of these monkeys in action, scientists have concluded that this trait likely came from our common ancestors. according to BBCThis behavior may help explain why humans evolved the desire to get high. in Serving Published in primates By Adriano R. Lameira and Marcus Perlman, the authors note that “altering mental states appear to be a universal human condition, both historically and culturally” and that “spinning behaviors can generate similar neurophysiological effects in non-human great apes.”
Lamira, assistant professor of psychology, told the BBC the findings “have huge consequences for how we think about modern human cognitive abilities and emotional needs”. Perelman is a cognitive scientist and professor of English and linguistics. He and Lamira analyzed 40 videos showing a variety of monkeys running on ropes. Primates tend to go through three rounds of turning, each lasting about five and a half turns, although orangutans turn more often than gorillas. Monkeys achieved a speed comparable to humans who spin while dancing, such as dancers and acrobats.
one piece l conversationPerlman said he began to wonder about the monkeys’ courtship behaviors after watching a video circulating at the Calgary Zoo of Zola gorillas dancing in the water. “The drive to spin stems from the common tendency to seek out and change experiences that stimulate our senses,” Perelman writes. However, after observing that humans have evolved in pursuit of more intense changing states, Perelman concluded that “even a gentle spin helps us see the world in a different light.” (Read more stories of discovery.)
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.