You've Got Rocks in Your Head!

(And Hair and Jelly, Too!)

All three are vital parts of your inner ear. Without them, you'd have a hard time keeping your balance.

When you tip forward or back, crystals of calcium carbonate (rocks) inside a part of your inner ear called the utricle push down with the force of gravity against tiny hairs embedded in jelly - which send messages to the brain.

If you accelerate suddenly, the crystals push back against the hairs as if you were tilting up - that's why moving really fast can make you feel like you're flying.