An intricate network of brain regions works together to regulate our emotions, feelings, and behaviours. This region, the limbic system, is also called the feeling and reacting brain.
“A limbic system is a group of areas connected to each other which are involved in emotions and memory,” says Dr Priyank Vasavada, neurosurgeon, M S Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru.
He explains that the areas that comprise the limbic system are:
Together, these regions regulate voluntary movement, emotions, behaviour, motivation, memory, and sense of smell in the body.
Dr Vasavada says that “the corresponding deficit or symptom manifestation is seen when a particular region is affected.” For example, disruption in the amygdala is found to be involved in enhanced anger, fear, and anxiety, he adds.
Studies have shown that limbic system disturbances are linked with post-traumatic stress disorder and cognition-related neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Limbic system dysfunction is also related to:
- lack of motivation
- increased drive for pleasure
- hypersexuality
- addiction
- disinhibited behaviour,
- binge eating, or emotional eating like appetite disorders and
- memory issues
The below infographic is a pictorial representation of some aspects of the limbic system.
