What Does It Mean When Your Ears Burn?

There are many superstitions that lead us to believe specific things about our bodies and the world. Whenever something happens to our bodies and we feel a specific sensation, we're curious about what it's going on. For example, if our arms tingle, if our legs are shaking, if we feel our ears burning up — we're always wondering what it could possibly mean.

There are tons of superstitions regarding what it means if your ears are burning. Usually, people assume that if your ears burn, someone is speaking about you. Have you ever called someone and they answer the phone saying, "Your ears must be burning, I was just thinking about you!" As it turns out, many people believe that burning sensations in your ears mean that someone is speaking or thinking about you (via Healthline). And, it definitely can. 

But depending on which ear is burning, that could a good thing or a bad thing.

Your ears burning being associated with someone thinking and speaking of you was a superstition that was written about by Fletcher Dresslar in his 1907 book "Superstition and Education" (via Kensy Cooperrider). Which ear is burning, however, can showcase whether or not someone is speaking well about you or if they're speaking badly about you. Dresslar's book claims that if your right ear burns, someone is talking good about you. This can be complimenting you or even bragging about your accomplishments. On the other hand, if your left ear burns, someone is talking ill of you. This can be talking badly about you and gossiping or insulting you. 

On the other hand, there's scientific evidence that when your ears burn, it means that your brain is overactive. This can be known as a "busy brain," or proof that there is increased brainwave activity happening inside of your head (via the Daily Mail). The science behind it says the increased temperature in the ears is caused by an increased flow of blood to one side of the brain or the other. 

So, while someone may be talking about you, your ears burning can also mean you're thinking harder than ever before.