Many of us feel completely disoriented at times, and are afraid of getting lost, whether in the middle of the city, in the forest, when travelling or in the car. In an age where GPS reigns supreme, many of us have become overly reliant on technology. Yet, there’s a growing desire to hone our natural navigational skills and understand the brain’s role in guiding us.

What we call our "sense of direction" is the result of a calculation by our brain, based on data such as leg movement or walking speed, and external information such as visual cues. The brain therefore processes a huge amount of information via two main areas: the hippocampus, which is involved in the memory process and navigation, and the prefrontal cortex, which manages decision-making and planning.

Why are some people better at finding their way around? And what about the age-old debate: Do women have a poorer sense of direction? What can we do to improve our spatial orientation? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

First Broadcast: 19/6/2025

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