Does vertigo have any evolutionary value?

Question

Are our ancestors with vertigo the first to climb down of the trees and live on the plains? Is our first instinct still the urge to climb when faced with danger?

Answer 1

It could stop us getting into trouble cliffs, trees etc but the sensation of vertigo can also be felt in other situations of extreme excitment, perhaps its a for of adreline related thing or something.

Answer 2

not me it's run, hide, find a weapon, review strategies, device a plan, stay alert.

vertigo can make you do something or not do something but it's not voluntary, generally I propose that it's an unwanted side affect of our generally good natured ear-gravity-eye-neuronal-brain balance orientational system.

It is also know to have enrich many careers in the film industry, especially those of Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart.

Trees should be a conscious choice only, and are usually only appropriate for negotiations with lions and tigers and bears.

Answer 3

There is certainly an advantage to land-walking animals to shy away from high places.

Less so for monkeys.

It would make an interesting study to find whether vertigo is an introduced trait or something all mammals share.

I shall mention this to my colleagues in the biology department.

Answer 4

Hmm, interesting question.  I suspect the reason we climbed down from the trees is because a new food source was found - meat.  I believe you might be onto something about the first instinct being the urge to climb.  It is where we originated from, was safe from predators, and we felt secure up high where we could be away from and have a good look at the impending danger.

Answer 5

Yes. It keeps you from falling off cliffs, out of trees,etc. 2nd question: quite probably. If I felt dizzy in high places, I'd climb down. 3rd question. Our first instinct is to flee from danger, not necessarily to climb. Whatever gets you out of harms way the fastest.

Answer 6

I dont think so.  Vertigo is simply the failure of the balance system.  Its like asking if there is an evolutionary value to tripping and falling.

Answer 7

yeah, that prevented yor grandpas n moms climbing too high on  trees...truly