Your Heart Has Its Own Nervous System and It’s Smarter Than You Think
We learn in school that the brain controls the body and the heart simply follows orders. But biologically, this is not the full story. The heart contains its own independent nervous system , called the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS) . It is made of nearly 40,000 neurons , the same type of cells found in the brain and spinal cord. These neurons are not passive. They can sense, process, and transmit information on their own. The “little brain” inside your heart The ICNS contains nearly 40,000 neurons , organized into clusters called ganglia . These neurons are the same type found in your central nervous system. They use neurotransmitters like: Acetylcholine (parasympathetic signals) Norepinephrine (sympathetic signals) Dopamine and nitric oxide for modulation This means the heart does not only receive signals. It processes them. It can sense changes in: Blood pressure Blood chemistry Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels Stretch of cardiac muscle ...
