What Causes the ‘Phantom Vibration’ Syndrome?

Phantom vibration is when you feel like your phone is vibrating, even though it's not. It happens because your brain gets used to the feeling of a phone buzzing in your pocket, kind of like how you can imagine hearing a voice on a phone call when there’s no one talking.

Why Does It Happen?

When your phone vibrates regularly, your brain starts expecting that vibration every time it receives a message. So even if your phone isn’t vibrating, your brain might think it is, and that's what makes you feel like the phone is buzzing.

Take the quiz →

Examples

You’re sitting at school, and you feel like your phone is vibrating, but it's actually just your pencil moving.
While eating lunch, you think your phone is buzzing again, but it's only your hand tapping the table.
In the middle of a meeting, you feel a vibration in your pocket, but it’s really your leg shaking.

Ask a question

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Psychology · phantom vibration,sensory perception,technology addiction