More about Interoception:
Why do we need interoception?
To explain interoception I usually separate a person into two very general categories:
the Brain and the Body.
The Body manages the inside world
(all the billions of biochemical & physiological processes happening at all times).
The Brain manages the outside world
(food, water, shelter, and navigating social interactions).
When the Body needs something from the outside world, it sends a signal to the Brain.
The Brain's ability to accurately recognize the signals from the Body is Interoception.
A simple example of Interoception in action:
1. Body notices a drop in blood sugar.
2. Body sends hunger signal to Brain.
3. Brain receives hunger signal and directs you to eat.
4. Blood sugar returns to normal and Body turns signal off.
Our Body is sending interoceptive signals all the time, some more obvious than others.
Our ability to accurately recognize our Body's signals determines our health and longevity.​