Experiencing a tickly throat? Try scratching your ear instead of coughing. Struggling to hear someone speaking softly? Tilt your right ear toward them. Coughing during an injection? It can dull the pain.
These may sound surprising, but they're grounded in physiology and endorsed by physicians. Here are 18 proven human body hacks that work for everyone. Watch:
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Childhood pranks like armpit farts are fun at age 9, but adults value practical body hacks that double as remedies. For a tickly throat, stimulate the nerves in your ear instead of coughing relentlessly.
"When the nerves in the ear are stimulated, it causes a reflex in the throat which in turn causes muscle spasm," explains ENT specialist Dr. Scott Schaffer. "This spasm will relieve the tickling of the throat."
In a noisy environment, struggling to catch soft-spoken words? Tilt your right ear toward the speaker.
A UCLA study shows the right ear processes short, repeated sounds like speech more efficiently than the left. For music or pure tones at low volume, use your left ear instead, as it's better at identifying them.
Desperate for a restroom with none in sight? Distract your brain by thinking about sex.
Dr. Larry Lipshultz, director of a reproductive medicine center, notes this distracts the brain and eases the urgency.
German researchers found coughing during an injection lessens sting pain. Anesthetist Dr. Taras Usichenko explains that coughing increases pressure in the chest and spinal canal, blocking pain-conducting nerves in the spinal cord.
Skip the nasal spray. Press your index finger between your eyebrows while pressing and releasing your tongue tip against the palate for 20 seconds.
Dr. Lisa DeStefano, professor of osteopathy, says this moves the vomer bone in the nasal cavities, relieving sinus pressure. You'll feel relief quickly. Click here to find out how.
After spicy food, prevent reflux by sleeping on your left side.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Anthony A. Starpoli of New York Medical College cites studies showing this position keeps the stomach below the esophagus, using gravity to retain acids. Click here to discover all the benefits of sleeping on the left side.
For tooth pain, rub an ice cube on the V-area between thumb and forefinger on the back of your hand.
Canadian researchers report up to 50% pain reduction, as nerves there stimulate brain areas blocking facial pain signals.
Burned your finger? After disinfecting, press with fingertips from your unburned hand.
Dr. DeStefano notes it's slower than ice but restores normal temperature faster, preventing blisters.
Alcohol-induced dizziness? Place your hand on a stable surface.
Dr. Schaffer explains the inner ear's cupula floats in blood-like fluid; alcohol disrupts it, but hand nerves provide a "second opinion" for balance—more effective than footing. 
Running with a side stitch? Most exhale on right-foot impact, pressuring the liver and diaphragm. Instead, exhale when your left foot hits.
Skip tilting back. Place cotton on upper gums behind the philtrum and press firmly.
ENT Dr. Peter Desmarais says most bleeds originate front-septum; this pressure stops them without swallowing blood.
Pre-date jitters? Blow on your thumb.
Emergency specialist Dr. Ben Abo explains it regulates breathing, calming the vagus nerve and slowing heart rate. Click here to discover 11 remedies to eliminate stress in just a few minutes.
Brain freeze from ice cream? Press your tongue fully against the palate.
Dr. Abo notes cold stimulates palate nerves, tricking the brain into overheating; pressure counters it quickly.
Myopia from near-work like screens? Every 2-3 hours, close eyes, tense all muscles, inhale deeply, hold, exhale while relaxing.
Optometrist Dr. Anne Barber says this relaxes eye muscles too. Involuntary muscles relax with voluntary ones.
Tingling hands from poor posture? Rock your head side-to-side.
Dr. DeStefano: Neck relaxation reduces nerve compression. Walk for foot tingles. Click here to discover the 8 simple positions to relieve the pain of sciatica.
Impress friends: They extend arm palm-down; you push wrist, they resist. Add a foot on magazines—arm drops.
Fitness expert Rachel Cosgrove: Off-center hips unbalance spine; brain reduces resistance for protection.
To hold breath longer, hyperventilate with short breaths pre-dive.
Biology professor Dr. Jonathan Armbruster: It lowers blood acidity from CO2, fooling brain into sensing more oxygen reserves—up to 10 extra seconds. Click here for underwater vision without glasses.
"Reread it right before sleep," advises biology professor Candi Heimgartner. Sleep consolidates memories into long-term storage. Click here to learn 14 tips that help you revise faster.
