BPoD has moved!

BPoD has recently changed our domain name - we can now be found at bpod.org.uk

Please update your bookmarks!

Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Awe Therapy
28 July 2012

Awe Therapy

Awe is an age-old emotion, and many of us positively crave sights and thrills that make us gape in wonder. Few would argue against the feel-good factor of awe-inspiring moments. While many emotions have been put under the microscope, awe is not one that has ever been studied scientifically to any great extent, until now. Researchers are starting to wonder whether jaw-dropping moments might be therapeutic. Psychologists have to this end recently devised a way to study the feeling of awe in the lab. Across a series of experiments they found that experiencing awe caused people to be less materialistic and more willing to volunteer their time to help others.

Written by Brona McVittie

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.