Scientists Reveal the "Hidden Sixth Sense" in Humans: Interoception is Key to Body Health

The idea of a sixth sense has long been associated with imagination and myths, but recent research from the Scripps Research Center in California has brought this concept back into the realm of science.

Scientists have confirmed that the human body actually possesses what is known as "interoception," an advanced neural ability that allows the brain to continuously monitor vital signals coming from internal organs.

Interoception differs from the traditional five senses that rely on clear sensory organs like the eyes or ears.

It operates through a complex network of neural pathways spread throughout the heart, lungs, stomach, and kidneys, without specific anatomical boundaries.

This network transmits precise signals that help the brain know when the body needs to breathe, how it deals with low blood pressure, or when it begins to confront an infection.

Professor Shin Jin, one of the leaders of the research project, explained that this field is still new in neuroscience, but it is essential for understanding human health.

His team recently received substantial funding of $14.2 million from the National Institutes of Health in the United States, aiming to map this internal nervous system comprehensively and create its first global atlas.

Historically, British neuroscientist Charles Sherrington was the first to propose the concept of interoception in the early 20th century, but the idea did not gain widespread attention until the last decade.

Today, researchers believe that delving into this field could change many medical concepts and perhaps even reshape textbooks in biology and neuroscience.

The practical importance of this sense goes beyond the theoretical aspect, as studies indicate that interoceptive disorders are linked to common diseases such as hypertension, chronic pain, and autoimmune disorders.

Therefore, understanding this sense could open the door to new treatments targeting the roots of these health issues.

With this discovery, the sixth sense is no longer just a myth or fantasy, but a promising scientific field that may change the way we understand the human body and its health in the coming years.