If you have gone through biology class in school, then you’re probably at least somewhat familiar with the limbic system. Those who have taken anatomy and physiology courses might have even learned how the limbic system is responsible for various emotions. These important parts of your brain regulate various emotional responses, and it can be useful to understand which of them is responsible for what. Keep reading to explore a bit more about the limbic system and the types of emotions associated with various parts of the brain.
The Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is the part of your brain that controls your basic emotional responses. It’s also something that plays a big role in your sexual responses to certain types of stimuli. This part of the brain is responsible for hormone release, and it even regulates body temperature. It’s certainly an important piece of the puzzle and controls many of your most important emotional functions.
Hippocampus
Your hippocampus is another part of your brain that you need to be aware of. What the hippocampus does is stores memories and helps you to retrieve them. Without your hippocampus, you wouldn’t be able to understand the spatial dimensions of your environment either. It’s crucial to be able to live a normal life.
Amygdala
The amygdala is what helps you to control your responses to your environment. This has a lot to do with your emotional responses to your environment, and it has a hand to play when it comes to both fear and anger. If you find yourself feeling afraid due to something in your environment, your amygdala is responsible for that reaction. This is yet another important part of your limbic system that can’t be ignored.
The Limbic Cortex
The limbic cortex has two distinct structures that you will need to know about. There is the cingulate gyrus as well as the parahippocampal gyrus. They work together, and they impact your mood, overall motivation levels, and the way you judge things. The limbic cortex definitely plays a big role in your emotional state and how you feel.