Heal your body by "tricking" it

The body has an infinitely intricate set of mechanisms that all work together for your body to function on a day-to-day basis. Most of the time we're completely unaware of all these small adjustments our bodies are making, and, subsequently, wouldn't know how to replicate them on purpose. But by understanding these mechanisms, you can manipulate, or "trick," your body into better performance.

Eco Dialogues has created a list of 18 useful "tricks" -- such as how to "make your heart stand still." Apparently, you can calm a racing heart simply by blowing on your thumb. They interviewed an emergency medical services specialist at the University of Pittsburgh who says the vagus nerve -- which governs heart rate -- can be controlled by breathing. So when you're nervous before a big speech, or on a first date, breathing on your thumb can get things back to normal.

Other interesting "tricks" include how to tickle your throat by scratching your ear, experience supersonic hearing, unstitch your side and breathe underwater. Some are more useful than others, but all of them are certainly interesting!