Insulan – The Source Of Our Feelings And Empathy

The insula is a part of the brain that is as mysterious as it is necessary to understand human behavior. Some say that this is where our “consciousness” is located. At present, neurologists can only say that this structure serves more as the source of our emotions. This is where we find our empathy and intuition.

Neuroscience is a fascinating branch of science that never ceases to amaze. A few years ago, it was discovered that some people were able to quit smoking overnight without having any withdrawal symptoms. Why? When they did a magnetic X-ray, the researchers found a small damage to the insole.

They have also found that alexithymia is related to a problem in this region. Alexityemia is when a person has significant difficulty feeling empathy for the feelings of others. They have basic problems recognizing their feelings and expressing a feeling verbally. And it has turned out that this is intimately connected to this small part.

Yes, the insula is like a magic fountain that fills every part of the brain with sensations and emotions. These, in turn, allow us to react, whether positively or negatively. Because the insula is what gives us feelings such as disgust, pride and lust. It is also the structure that helps us to understand people but also to react emotionally to music…

The insula is a small part of the cerebral cortex that lies at the bottom of the lateral groove. The lateral groove is a deep groove that separates the frontal and sciatic lobes from the temporal lobe. If this had been in the 80’s, we could interestingly only  have said that this was an unknown area in the brain. A structure with unknown functions, targets for hundreds of hypotheses over the years.

During the 90’s, some light was shed on the subject. Thanks to advances in analytical and diagnostic techniques, this theoretical point is no longer completely unknown. Fantastic discoveries were made. A number of studies have been performed on patients with brain damage on the insula. They showed that the  insula actually plays a big role in many of our daily activities.

Therefore, the researchers would give a long and interesting answer to the question of what the processes in this part of the brain mean. It is involved in so much: pain, love, emotions, desires, addictions, enjoyment of music, decision making, wine tasting and consciousness. Unbelievable, right?

Neuropsychologists say that  we must be very careful when attributing such a large and important role as consciousness to a small part of the brain.   Because the insulin is involved in a large part of our social and emotional behavior, it is not difficult to come up with that hypothesis. .

First and foremost because it is an attractive term. Secondly, because it is difficult to define the insole with total precision. To distinguish which tasks, functions and processes this part performs.

As a side track, something else has been proven. People who have suffered severe damage to the insole are completely disconnected from their surroundings and themselves. They are characterized by deep apathy and lack of empathy. They are unable to enjoy any aspect of life, they can not even feel uncomfortable. This ultimately means that they cannot distinguish fresh food from the route.

The insula plays a role in our self-image

Researchers tell us that the insula is where our being is compiled. That is, it is where you become aware of your body and your mind. To understand it better, however, we must clarify one thing. No structure in the brain, or the body in general, works independently.

When we make the mistake – however common it may be – to say, for example, that some people use the right hemisphere and are more creative, we forget that the brain is “a whole”. Each part of the brain is connected to all other parts. The body as a whole works in perfect harmony.

The same goes for the insole. It is physiologically connected to the body, plays a role in your sense of smell and generates subjective emotions. The insula is involved in the feeling of hunger and even receives information from the skin and other organs’ receptors. This structure helps us to react when something is hot or cold, when something sticks or itches. It is instinct that tells us things that “ go out of here. You need fresh air to disperse your thoughts… ”

With that said  , animals also have this amazing structure in their brains. Therefore, they also have a sense of physical and emotional consciousness. So when a cat, Tasmanian devil or lemur are hot, they will look for shade. When it finds food, it will choose the one that is fresh over the one that is rotten.

When an animal gets in the way of another animal, its intuition will tell whether the other animal has good or bad intentions. It knows instinctively if it is a prey. Or if the opposite is true and they can socialize. Neurobiologists also say that humans, large primates, whales and elephants have more complex and sophisticated insulae.

The insula can in turn be divided into different areas. For example  , the frontal insula is related to our emotions. Love, hate, gratitude, resentment, shame, disbelief, empathy and contempt. There is a special point between the frontal lobe and the anterior girdle winding. This is where the processes associated with addiction are located.

When a person tries to quit smoking, some stimulation increases the desire and withdrawal symptoms. Some smells, social situations and scenarios intensify the anxiety that secretly controls the insole. All this because the  insula is intimately connected to the limbic system.

There are many studies that show how  this small structure plays a role in addictive behavior. It has to do with what is called  “sucking”,  or an intense desire to consume.

In conclusion, the  insula can help us humans to be the best we can be. It gives us empathy and positive emotions. But it can also provoke our negative, abusive side. Maybe new discoveries will soon be made regarding this small complex part of the brain that makes us human.

Here comes a concluding thought. Whenever you enjoy music or a glass of wine, remember what it is that allows you to enjoy such pleasures. Thank you insula.