The Intelligent Body

The Intelligent Body: What Do I Already Know About This?~How the Body Senses, Learns and Helps Us Make Decisions~Series: In Twelve EveningsBook 14Vita HarwoodTest your knowledge!We often imagine that the conscious mind makes the decisions and the body simply carries them out. Yet the body is constantly processing information that never reaches awareness in a finished form. It monitors its internal state, compares the present with earlier experience, anticipates needs and adjusts behaviour.Why does the heart speed up before fear becomes conscious? How can you sense the position of your hand with your eyes closed? Where do hunger, fatigue and a vague sense of alarm come from? Why does a protective response sometimes remain active after the danger has passed?The Intelligent Body: What Do I Already Know About This? introduces the physiology and neuroscience of bodily regulation. It explains homeostasis and allostasis, interoception and proprioception, the autonomic nervous system, the bodily foundations of emotion, learning without words and the role of somatic markers. Recovery is a central theme. Sleep, circadian rhythms, rest and the gradual return to activity are presented as active processes within a living system.The course does not promote a mystical inner voice or suggest that every sensation should be obeyed. A bodily signal may be useful, mistaken or ambiguous. The practical aim is to notice the signal, examine its context and combine bodily information with conscious judgement.Each of the twelve lessons includes clear explanations, historical context, a researcher profile, a surprising scientific finding, key terms, a test and a safe observation exercise. The final sections provide 120 explained answers, a general glossary, sources and recommendations for further reading and viewing.The course is suitable for readers aged 15 and over. No previous study of biology, medicine or psychology is required.