The left insula is a small, highly connected region of the brain, sometimes referred to as the left insular cortex. It is considered a central hub because it integrates various types of information, playing a significant role in our daily experiences.
Location and Why it Matters
The left insula is located deep within the cerebral cortex. Its position allows it to connect extensively with many parts of the brain, making it a significant hub for integrating diverse information, including sensory, emotional, and cognitive signals. The insula is divided into a larger anterior (front) insula and a smaller posterior (back) insula.
The Seat of Emotion and Empathy
The left insula plays a role in processing and experiencing emotions, both our own feelings and those of others. This region is active when we experience feelings like disgust, anger, and fear. Research indicates the insula is the only brain region that consistently activates during the experience of disgust.
It contributes to our ability to understand and share the emotional states of others, a process known as empathy. The left insula helps us recognize and respond to emotional cues from others, allowing us to connect with their feelings. For instance, seeing someone in pain might activate the left insula, contributing to our empathetic response. This capacity for empathy is foundational for social interactions and understanding others’ perspectives.
Interoception: Understanding Your Body’s Signals
The left insula functions as a primary hub for interoception, which is the brain’s sense of the physiological condition of the body. This involves processing internal bodily sensations like heart rate, breathing patterns, hunger, and thirst. It creates a real-time map of the body’s internal landscape, allowing for conscious awareness of bodily needs and feelings. This includes sensing changes in oxygen levels or even an itch.
This brain region also plays a significant role in the perception and experience of pain. When you feel pain, whether physical or emotional, the left insula helps integrate these signals into your conscious awareness. It processes information about temperature, pressure, and other bodily sensations, contributing to our overall physical self-awareness. These processes are fundamental for maintaining the body’s stable internal environment.
Role in Thinking and Decision-Making
The left insula contributes to higher-order cognitive functions, including attention and decision-making. It helps in detecting salient or important stimuli, drawing our attention to what matters in our environment. This region is involved in the flexible switching of attention, allowing us to shift focus between different tasks or stimuli. It plays a role in regulatory aspects of goal-directed behavior.
This brain area also influences decision-making, particularly in situations involving risk or uncertainty. By integrating internal body signals with emotions, it can generate “gut feelings” that guide our choices. This internal feedback helps steer us away from perceived threats and toward favorable outcomes. The left insula also plays a role in generating intense cravings associated with substance use disorders, linking external cues to anticipated internal feelings.