Inner Sense: How the New Science of Interoception Can Revolutionize Your Health

"A fascinating look at the power of the body to influence our mind--and even affect how we see the world."--Janice Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of The Gratitude Diaries and What Your Body Knows About Happiness Discover your elusive "sixth sense"--your brain's ability to perceive and interpret bodily sensations like hunger and thirst--and how to rewire your mind-body connection for optimal health. Are you able to recognize your own heartbeat? What about thirst? In Inner Sense, science communicator Caroline Williams explains that some people are so insensitive to internal cues that they struggle to recognize basic needs like hunger or fatigue. While others only notice their body's signals when they become overwhelming. This disconnect between the brain's predictions and the body's sensations can lead to mental and physical health challenges, from chronic fatigue, to anxiety, to eating disorders. If this sounds like you--don't worry. It's not too late to tap into your interoceptive awareness. In this practical, science-backed book, you will learn ... - How to harness one of the most important functions of your body: its sixth sense, known to scientists as interoception. - How the mind-body connection is a two-way street, with the brain and body in a constant flow of communication. - How to perceive and interpret physical processes like heartbeat and breath. - How to pick up on and respond to physical cues like hunger and thirst. - How to identify emotions that express themselves physically such as panic or rage. - How pain works in your body and in your brain. - How internal sensations influence your thoughts and actions--and how to learn and harness interoceptive awareness. Inner Sense delves into the fascinating field of interoception, speaking with doctors, scientists, and researchers about how our internal sensations influence our thoughts and actions--and how we can harness interoceptive awareness to improve health, relationships, and society as a whole. Williams explores cutting-edge interventions like mindfulness, biofeedback, targeted exercise, and even psychedelic therapy, which hold the potential to help us regulate emotions, reduce stress, and live better lives.

About the Author :
Caroline Williams is a highly regarded science journalist, and the author of Move, which was a New Scientist Book of the Year, and My Plastic Brain. She is a regular contributor to New Scientist and her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Observer, National Geographic, and BBC Radio. She lives in the United Kingdom.

Review :
"In Inner Sense, Caroline Williams offers an engaging and accessible tour through the rapidly growing landscape of interoception--reinforcing that our internal signals play a powerful role in shaping health, emotion, and connection. Having seen firsthand the life-changing impact of interoception-based work, I'm heartened to see this sense gaining the mainstream recognition it deserves. This book is a must-read for anyone curious about the body's hidden language. Interoception, your moment has arrived." --Dr. Kelly Mahler, occupational therapist and developer of The Interoception Curriculum--used with children and adults in over 30 countries worldwide "A rare book that changes how you experience your own physicality--highly recommended!" --Norman Farb, PhD, co-author of Better in Every Sense "This book could not come at a more critical time... fascinating, deeply researched and elegantly written." --Sally Adee, author of We Are Electric "Inner Sense is an illuminating journey into the hidden world of interoception--our brain's secret sense of the body. Caroline Williams blends scientific depth with personal insights and humor to reveal how our inner signals shape what we feel, how we think, and how we maintain health and wellbeing." --Sahib Khalsa, Associate Professor, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior "A fascinating look at the power of the body to influence our mind--and even affect how we see the world. Fun to read and packed with smart scientific insights, it will change how you think about yourself!" --Janice Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of The Gratitude Diaries and What Your Body Knows About Happiness "A fascinating and deeply researched guide to the embodied mind. Williams skilfully navigates the complexities of this cutting edge science with huge therapeutic promise, as she introduces you to... yourself. Get to know your whole self and feel better" --Gaia Vince, author of Nomad Century "An exceptional book. Inner Sense by Caroline Williams delivers a consistently fascinating deep dive into one of the most exciting areas of scientific research. Each chapter left me in awe at this new understanding of the brain, the body, and the cross-talk between the two" --David Robson, author of The Laws of Connection and The Expectation Effect