Mapping the hidden sense: how the body talks to the brain

MIT Technology Review has published a detailed exploration of interoception, the body’s internal sense, highlighting how the brain interprets signals from within to influence emotion and decision-making. The article, published on 12 June 2026, outlines how researchers are moving beyond abstract theories to map the specific neural and molecular circuits that allow the brain to monitor the body’s state in real time.

Central to this emerging understanding is the work of neuroscientist Steve Liberles at Harvard Medical School, who is mapping the diverse signalling pathways of the vagus nerve. Liberles has identified dozens of distinct cell types within the nerve, each wired to specific organs such as the heart, gut, and lungs. This research challenges the notion of the vagus nerve as a single entity, revealing a complex system where different neurons carry specific information about breathing rates, lung stretch, and airway threats.

The article also features the work of Ardem Patapoutian, who was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the PIEZO proteins. These proteins act as mechanical sensors, converting physical pressure into electrical signals that the nervous system can understand. Patapoutian’s discovery explains how cells sense touch and pressure, forming a critical component of the body’s internal communication network that allows the brain to know where the body is in space without visual cues.

The US National Institutes of Health is currently funding significant research into these interoceptive circuits, with the aim of developing clinical applications for conditions such as anxiety and chronic pain. Wen Chen at the NIH is building formal infrastructure to coordinate this interdisciplinary work, bringing together neuroscientists, immunologists, and clinicians to study how interoceptive awareness can be improved through targeted interventions.

Researchers note that interoceptive awareness is malleable and can be enhanced through practices such as heartbeat detection exercises and body-based therapies. The article suggests that understanding these internal signals may help individuals interpret physical sensations more accurately, potentially improving outcomes for mental health and stress-related conditions by bridging the gap between unconscious physiological processing and conscious awareness.