How your body’s internal signals dictate the way you think and feel
In short: We often view mental health as purely a product of the brain, but neuroscientist Camilla Nord argues that our metabolic and bodily systems play a critical role. By studying interoception—the way our brain processes internal signals—researchers are uncovering new ways to treat mental health conditions through the body-brain connection.
Camilla Nord, who leads the Mental Health Neuroscience programme at the University of Cambridge, investigates the complex interplay between our physical state and our mental well-being. Her research focuses on how bodily signals, including metabolic and gastric processes, actively shape our emotions and behaviors. This field of study, known as interoception, suggests that the brain does not operate in isolation; rather, it is constantly interpreting information from the body to construct our internal experience.
The implications for psychiatry are significant. Nord’s work at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit utilizes advanced brain imaging, behavioral experiments, and computational modeling to understand the mechanisms underlying conditions like depression and anxiety. By mapping these interactions, her lab aims to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, the goal is to develop personalized treatments that target specific cognitive or brain profiles, potentially revolutionizing how we address disabling psychiatric symptoms.
Beyond discovery-based neuroscience, Nord is actively developing novel therapeutic interventions. These include innovative forms of brain stimulation and methods designed to enhance the efficacy of traditional psychological therapies. Her research, which has secured over £14 million in funding from organizations like Wellcome and the Medical Research Council, emphasizes that improving mental health outcomes may require a more integrated view of human physiology. Her 2023 book, The Balanced Brain, further explores these themes, highlighting how neuroscience can be translated into practical, improved treatments for those suffering from mental ill-health.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Interoception: the new science of mental health - with Camilla Nord
- Also: Professor Camilla Nord | Psychiatry
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