What is Interoception?

Written by: Jericho Samatra

Interoception refers to the sensing of internal bodily changes. It shows up in many different ways. For example, when we are hungry, we feel sensations in our stomach. Our body communicates these internal changes with us: a growling stomach to indicate hunger, a dry mouth to signal thirst, or heavy eyes to let us know we are getting tired.

The way our body feels has a direct connection to our overall well-being. For instance, people experiencing symptoms of depression often report changes in appetite, fatigue, and pain. This demonstrates how our body’s physiological condition can influence our emotions.

Interoception also plays a role in emotional awareness. When someone feels excited, they might notice a fluttering sensation in their stomach—often described as having “butterflies.” When experiencing anger, some people notice their body feels lighter or charged with energy. These internal shifts are examples of how emotions and body awareness are connected.

Strengthening our ability to notice internal bodily changes can significantly improve both physical and mental health. Practices such as deep breathing and mindfulness exercises are excellent ways to increase interoceptive awareness.

Think about Spider-Man’s famous “spidey-senses.” They are essentially a very strong gut feeling that helps him make quick decisions. In the same way, by fine-tuning our internal awareness, we can make faster and more effective choices that improve our physical and emotional quality of life.