Controls vital functions like blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, digestion. First part of brain to evolve. Part of brainstem - helps with body's autonomic functions and reflexes. Respiration, heart rate, swallowing, digestion. Relay station for nerve signals to and from the brain. Part of brainstem - Relays sensory information, helps control autonomic functions and has a role in levels of arousal or consciousness and sleep.
n. 1. (Philosophy) the traditional philosophical problem concerning the nature of mind, body, and the relationship between them. See dualism 2, interactionism, parallelism 3, monism 1, idealism 3, materialism 2, identity theory, behaviourism 2.
According to a team of researchers at the University of Cologne in Germany, where you stand on this mind-body question can have a major effect on your health. The study (published in Psychological Science) finds that if you believe the mind is separate from the body, you are less likely to exercise and avoid junk food. Moreover, the researchers were able to manipulate peopleâs health behaviors by priming them with either a mind-body or dualist perspective.