Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others

Mosquitoes are attracted to me and it's likely due to my genes.
This video is sponsored by 23andMe https://23andme.com/veritasium
Huge thanks to Prof. Immo Hansen and team: http://ve42.co/hansen

References:
Genome Wide Association Study for self-reported mosquito attractiveness:
http://ve42.co/MossieGWAS

The twin study showing correlated attractiveness is stronger for identical twins:
http://ve42.co/MossieTwins

Some things we know make mosquitoes more attracted to you:
Exercising, higher metabolism, higher body temperature, more body odor, being pregnant, type O blood, infrequent bathing, lactic acid, ammonia, acetone.

There are a number of folk remedies people believe protect them from mosquito bites like drinking alcohol, eating garlic, or taking vitamin B. These do not appear to provide any benefit in lab studies and in fact drinking alcohol is associated with increased mosquito activity because it causes blood vessels near the surface of the skin to dilate.

And apparently some of your attractiveness to mosquitos is simply genetic. This may be mediated through your immune system, which is what a lot of the genes identified were associated with.

Molecular models are microSnatoms: http://snatoms.com

Filming in New Mexico by Raquel Nuno
Animations by Jacqui Robertson

The opinions and conclusions drawn in this video are those of Veritasium and not 23andMe.

BetaSeries' opinion

Unveil the Unseen: Dive into the World of 'Captain Disillusion'

In today's digital age, where information is at everyone's fingertips, it's easy to get swept away by seemingly unbelievable content that inundates our screens daily. Whether it's a mind-boggling viral video or an uncanny photo circulating online, distinguishing fact from fiction has become increasingly challenging. Enter 'Captain Disillusion,' a TV series that not only entertains but educates viewers on deciphering the truth behind visual fakery.

The first season of 'Captain Disillusion' introduces us to a world where appearances are often deceptive, and what you see isn't always what you get. Our titular hero, Captain Disillusion, steps up to guide audiences through this labyrinth of digital deception with his signature blend of humor and analytical prowess. With 106 episodes in its debut season, there's no shortage of content for eager minds ready to learn about the intricate art of debunking.

Each episode serves as a masterclass in skepticism and critical thinking, starting with Episode 1, where Captain Disillusion confronts the bizarre concept of violent penguins and tackles attention-seeking visual effects creators. As we move into Episode 2, the captain turns his vectorscope towards Japan's digital curiosities, unraveling their mysteries with precision.

Read the full article

Next episode

S07E23 - The Threat of AI Weapons