Scientists discover what's behind Zen state

A study has revealed that the "superfrontal gyrus" area of the brain is responsible for making people self-conscious, and that it shuts off when a person is intensely involved in a task -- a state sometimes referred to as "flow."

The brain's ability to "switch off" the self may have evolved as a protective mechanism, he suggests. "If there is a sudden danger, such as the appearance of a snake, it is not helpful to stand around wondering how one feels about the situation," Goldberg points out.

Thus Eve bit the apple. And ever since, we've been worrying "Does this make me look fat?"