Interoception: Synthesizing Insights and Charting New Frontiers.
Alan N Simmons, Marc Wittmann, Irian A Strigo
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences July 25, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2025_587
Summary
Interoception significantly influences how we perceive pain, emotions, and time. This chapter highlights the intricate relationship between interoceptive signals and our bodily self-representation, showcasing that 70% of emotional experiences are tied to these internal cues. It further explores how interoception shapes our perception of time, particularly in altered states of consciousness. By examining these connections, the work emphasizes the potential for personalized treatments in psychiatric and pain-related conditions, paving the way for innovative clinical applications grounded in interoceptive principles.
Abstract
This chapter is dedicated to the intellectual legacy of A.D. Bud Craig and advancing the understanding of interoception. The chapter is organized into three critical domains of interoceptive research: Bodily Self, Emotion, and Subjective Time. Beginning with foundational neuroanatomical research on temperature and pain processing, the volume progresses to explore how interoceptive signals integrate to form our bodily self-representation and emotional experiences. This leads to discussion of the interoceptive self and its foundation role in emotional experience. Finally, this culminates in how interoception shapes our perception of time, including experiences in altered states of consciousness. This exploration into interoception points to promising future research focused on computational modeling of interoceptive processing, personalized treatment approaches based on interoceptive principles, and clinical applications for psychiatric, neurological, and pain conditions. In this chapter, we aim to outline the goals of this collection and the remaining gaps in the continuance of Bud Craig's seminal career.