Anger, sadness, joy... How do these various human emotions arise? The latest brain research has revealed a surprisingly close relationship between emotions and our bodies. When the body's condition changes, such as when the heart beats faster or blood pressure rises, this information is sent to the "insular cortex" in the brain. We now know that the changes in the body sensed by the insular cortex are recognized as emotions born within us. Moreover, the ability to recognize these changes in the body varies from person to person, and this affects the amount of "empathy" one has for other people's emotions. Research has also shown that people who have difficulty in recognizing their own emotions are insensitive to changes in their bodies, which can aggravate chronic pain. We will examine these complex mechanisms of the mind and the true nature of "emotion." Then, in our J-Innovators corner, we will meet a Takumi whose company has created a modular wheelchair that can be highly customized to suit different physiques and disabilities.

[J-Innovators]
Highly Customizable, Modular Wheelchairs