Sense adaptation

We know that the brain can adapt and grow to replace lost senses. We can even grow to incorporate new senses.

I have an experiment in mind. What if I were to "lose" a sense for a little while, say a month. What would it be like? What would it be like to get it back?
Would my remaining senses become sharper?
Would it feel strange to get back what I had lost?

Possible implementation: Good quality earplugs, in 24/7. How would my friends and family react and adapt? Would my life change significantly?

This sounds like some obscure Graduate Student thesis work that eventually becomes an indy documentary.

Carry on good sir.

NotDaveEllis wrote: This sounds like some obscure Graduate Student thesis work that eventually becomes an indy documentary. Carry on good sir.

That's what I was thinking, rather than just sticking earplugs in and going about my business. But, seeing as I have no interest in going into medicine or psychology, the probability of it happening is low.

would you need to remove the plugs to clean your ears?

or your sense of touch.  i always hated calling it that, it just sounds off, but i cant think of anything better right now.  anywho, just stay wasted to the point of being numb for a month, then sober up. 

also, i go without my sense of smell/ some of my taste for a month or more at a time every year (yay hayfever!) and i can tell you your other senses dont get noticeably sharper, and then sense you lose isnt sharper after you get it back.

EDIT: NVM just read the above post.

Edited by jerseypaint - 05 November 2007 at 11:51am

Try blindfolding yourself for a week - it's mind blowing how much sharper your other sense become in just a week.