Innate superpower - it's called intuition. As science unravels the mystery of how hunches develop, you can use those premonitory moments to make choices that can lead you down the right path. Intuition isn't magic; it's unconscious reasoning.

A gut feeling arises when your brain makes a connection between what's happening in the present and a similar circumstance from your past.

"Intuitive skills depend on your experience and expertise," says Dr Alexandre Linhares, a cognitive scientist. So if you're an outgoing people person, you should follow your instincts when choosing a new flatmate. But if your financial knowledge is practically nil, you probably shouldn't trust your gut when choosing what to invest in. Yet intuition can still be a useful decision-making tool even if you can't claim expertise. Here's a guide to figuring out when it's best to use your head and when to let your gut lead the way.

Is it time to explore that business idea?

Listen to both. Given the lack of spare cash lying around for most of us at present, this isn't something you want to get wrong. But listening to that "nagging niggle" inside is essential, says Jenny Yule, the 2008 New Zealand Her Magazine Businesswoman of the Year and MD of Porse In-Home Childcare and Educator Training. "If I had gone with my head and listened to what others were doing, then I would not have started Porse 15 years ago. I think the best business ideas start off with a gut feeling or instinctive 'knowing' that there is a need to make a change or make a difference."

While the Porse team is now using their heads to combine the company's vision for childcare with brain development research that backs up their practices, Yule says instinct should always be the starting point for business decisions. "I have always followed my instinct - even when the instruction manual has been open," she says. "Listening to logic might restrict a new direction to go in."

Who should you hire?

Use your head. An experienced HR manager could rely on her instincts to suss out the perfect candidate. But for most of us, a gut reaction during an interview comes mainly from personal bias, says psychologist Dr David Myers. If a candidate talks just like your best friend, you'll regard her as smart and funny. If she reminds you of your obnoxious neighbour, she'll have a hard time winning you over. Trust her work samples and references instead.

Should you get a second opinion?

Go with your gut. If your doctor gives you a clean bill of health but you still have an inkling that something isn't right, follow up. Doctors are trained to look for the most likely answers and may not pursue an unusual diagnosis in a patient who is young and otherwise healthy, Dr Myers says.

Should you date him?

Listen to both. When you feel an instant attraction, it's probably a response to a chemical signal telling your brain whether a potential mate is biologically compatible. But physical chemistry doesn't always mean they're partner material. Ask yourself (and be honest!) whether you always tend to go for the bad boys, says Dr Mona Lisa Schulz, author of The Intuitive Advisor. If you've picked decent blokes in the past, she says, go with your gut. If not, you may suffer from intuitive blindness when it comes to romantic partners. That means you need what Dr Schulz calls a seeing-eye dog - a good friend; ideally one who's in a happy relationship. Ask their opinion; if they give you the green light but look away or hesitate, you can bet they really mean "don't go there". If they make solid eye contact, give him a try.

Should you quit your job and move to Paris?

Use your head. When stress levels at work are off the charts, your gut might start screaming for you to set up an easel under the Eiffel Tower. But are you moving towards a good situation or just fleeing a bad one? The best move is one that's both sensible and tantalising. Instead of dumping your current life on a whim, consider the reasons you're drawn to this particular change. You might find a less radical option that melds your need for change and your love of France - say, taking French classes. Or, if you discover that you don't care as much about Paris as you do about quitting your job, start plotting your escape: hit up your contacts on LinkedIn.com to find a new job in your field or, if you're considering a career change, start looking into post-graduate programmes.

Should you get married?

Listen to both. When they swap vows, most people are convinced they've found their soul mate. Yet more than one in three New Zealand marriages ends in divorce. So think carefully about your compatibility, says Dr Myers. Do you share similar goals, values and needs? Do you share a religious faith (or lack of one)? The more yeses, the better. If you can't shake the thought that the marriage might not work, have a heart-to-heart with your fiance to pinpoint the source of your negative feelings. When a decision is based on an emotion as complex as love, a gut reaction is worth exploring.