The reason why so many cat videos go viral is based on science.
The millions of views a clip of a baby panda sneezing are because of primitive human instinct.
A number of studies support that the human response to all things cute and baby-like is because of instinct, according to CNN.
"These features are so ingrained in us to respond to," said Yale psychologist Oriana Aragon. "Our survival depends on us taking care of our young. It's part of our human species to respond to these features."
If you notice, humans react to these adorable videos the same way they would to a baby.
But this reaction isn't just tied to instinct. It makes us feel good.
"It's something that gives us pleasure, and makes us come back," Aragon said. "So seeing and caring for something cute acts in a similar manner in our brain; we see a cute baby, and instinctively reach out to cuddle it, our brain gets a dopamine boost to reward us, and boom, we're happy."
At Yale, Aragon studies cute aggression, the feeling that something is so cute that you behave aggressively in response. It's the physical display of something being so cute you can't stand it.
Aragon said this is a "dimorphous expression," which our bodies do to keep our emotions in order. It's the same idea behind someone crying tears of joy or laughing when they are angry. "That facial feedback sends info back to your brain, and it help scramble that primary emotion," Aragon said. "Now the person that was overwhelmed is carried down and goes back to homeostasis. It helps people pull them back."
Aragon tested this behavior by having people view videos of baby and adult animals while holding bubble wrap. The study participants popped more bubbles when they saw videos of baby animals than the adult versions.
