Why do our brains love bubbles?

© Script: Jeanne Fenouil and Sacha Tembe - Filmmaking: Jeanne Fenouil (video in french, english subtitles available translated by AI)

This festive season, bubbles are everywhere: in champagne, sodas and sparkling water. But do you know why they fascinate us so much?

Gabriel Lepousez, a neuroscientist at the Institut Pasteur, sheds some light on this phenomenon, which combines our five senses and our emotions.

For the past ten years, Gabriel has been exploring the workings of the olfactory system to understand how we perceive and memorize odors. Using advanced techniques such as optogenetics and in vivo imaging, he reveals the secrets of our brain's plasticity in the face of sensory information.

In this video, he explains how:

• CO₂ titillates our taste buds with its tangy freshness.
• The bubbles amplify odors thanks to a misting effect.
• Their effervescence enlivens the drink and stimulates our tactile, auditory and visual senses.
• Above all, they evoke emotions of pleasure, care and sharing.

For Gabriel: “Behind these unique sensations, there are emotions that make these moments even more memorable.”

It's your turn to play: close your eyes and try to guess an effervescent drink just by listening to the bubbles! Cheers !