Tag

Interoception

All articles tagged with #interoception

How Detecting Hunger Shapes Our Mood: The Science Behind Hangry
science1 month ago

How Detecting Hunger Shapes Our Mood: The Science Behind Hangry

A month-long study with 90 healthy adults using continuous glucose monitors and smartphone mood checks found that mood worsens primarily when people perceive hunger, not simply when blood sugar drops. Those with higher interoceptive accuracy—better awareness of internal bodily states—showed fewer mood swings. Hunger signals involve the hypothalamus and insula, and improving interoception through attention to body cues and exercise may help stabilize moods and prevent impulsive eating. The piece, republished from The Conversation, also notes the everyday relevance for parents managing kids' meals.

Humans May Have 22–33 Senses, Not Just Five
scienceneuroscience1 month ago

Humans May Have 22–33 Senses, Not Just Five

New research and expert discourse suggest that human perception rests on 22–33 senses, far beyond the classic five. Proprioception, interoception, vestibular balance, sense of agency, and sense of ownership are part of a distributed, multisensory system that blends touch, taste, smell, and sight to create flavor, texture, and self-awareness. Everyday experiences—such as odors altering taste or sounds changing perceived texture—reflect this interconnectedness. Work at the Centre for the Study of the Senses and Crossmodal Laboratory in Oxford, alongside exhibitions like Senses Unwrapped, illustrate how our senses continually negotiate a single, coherent reality.

Scientists Launch $14.2M Project to Map Human 'Sixth Sense'
science4 months ago

Scientists Launch $14.2M Project to Map Human 'Sixth Sense'

Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute and the Allen Institute, backed by the NIH, are mapping the brain's internal communication network called interoception, which monitors vital bodily functions. This project aims to create the first neural atlas of this 'sixth sense,' potentially transforming our understanding of health and disease by revealing how the brain and internal organs stay in sync, and offering new avenues for treatment of various conditions.

Scientists Reveal How Alcohol Alters Bodily Sensations
health8 months ago

Scientists Reveal How Alcohol Alters Bodily Sensations

A study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology reveals how alcohol alters internal bodily sensations, with less sensation linked to higher risk of alcohol use disorder. Using digital mapping and physiological measures, researchers found that alcohol-induced bodily sensations vary during intoxication and are connected to subjective feelings of stimulation and sedation, potentially influencing addiction vulnerability. The study also highlights placebo effects and individual differences in bodily awareness, offering new insights into the role of interoception in alcohol experiences and addiction risk.

Interoception Linked to Increased Female Sexual Satisfaction
health1 year ago

Interoception Linked to Increased Female Sexual Satisfaction

A study by the University of Essex reveals that women with higher interoception, or awareness of internal bodily signals, experience more frequent and satisfying orgasms. This inward focus enhances sexual satisfaction in both solo and partnered encounters, emphasizing the importance of understanding normal orgasmic processes for improving well-being and relationship satisfaction. The research highlights the role of bodily awareness in fostering sexual satisfaction, offering insights for women and their partners.

"The Vital Importance of Humans' Sixth Sense for Health"
health1 year ago

"The Vital Importance of Humans' Sixth Sense for Health"

Interoception, the sense of our body's internal state, plays a vital role in regulating essential bodily functions and contributes to mental health. Research suggests that men and women differ in their ability to sense and interpret interoceptive signals, with women being less accurate at heart-focused tasks. Understanding these differences may help explain why certain mental health conditions are more prevalent in women and could lead to improved treatments tailored to individual differences in interoception.

"Decoding 'Hangry': The Psychology Behind Hunger-Induced Anger"
health-and-psychology2 years ago

"Decoding 'Hangry': The Psychology Behind Hunger-Induced Anger"

The 'hangry' phenomenon, where hunger leads to irritability and anger, is influenced by the interplay between internal body signals and external stimuli, individual differences in interoceptive awareness, and hormonal factors like ghrelin. Understanding these factors can help manage and prevent the hangry state by taking proactive steps such as eating regular, balanced meals, being mindful of one's emotional and physical state, and creating positive environments to mitigate negative responses to hunger.

"Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics in Altering the Connection Between Your Two Selves"
science2 years ago

"Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics in Altering the Connection Between Your Two Selves"

The relationship between consciousness and interoception (the sense of the body from within) is gaining attention in the field of psychedelic science. Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio argues that feelings and homeostatic sensations are the source of consciousness, and interoception plays a crucial role in this process. Psychedelics may offer a unique window into the intricate dance between interoception and consciousness, potentially leading to novel therapeutic benefits. Studies have shown that psychedelics can improve symptoms across a range of mental illnesses and even physical ailments, suggesting a connection between the brain and body. Further research is needed to explore the link between interoception and psychedelics, but the somatic effects of psychedelic therapy and the reported sense of self-connection indicate the importance of embodied aspects in the therapeutic process.

The Heart's Influence on Gut Instincts.
neuroscience2 years ago

The Heart's Influence on Gut Instincts.

A recent study by Royal Holloway University shows that evaluating an event during a heartbeat may cause individuals to doubt their own opinion and lean more toward others. Participants in the study changed their minds more often when faces were presented during the contraction of the heart, as opposed to between heartbeats. The study's results suggest that signals from our body, particularly our heart, can significantly shape our gut feelings and decision-making in social settings.