Is it true your brain ignores your own heartbeat?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Science of Sensory Gating

Yes, the human brain consistently engages in a phenomenon called sensory gating to filter out the rhythmic sound and physical sensation of the heart beating. This protective mechanism ensures that the brain does not become overwhelmed by constant, repetitive internal noise, allowing it to prioritize external environmental stimuli instead.

How It Functions

Neural Suppression: The brain predicts the timing of each heartbeat and actively reduces the neural response to that specific sensory input before it even registers in conscious thought.
 Efficiency and Focus: By filtering out the heartbeat, cognitive energy is preserved, which enhances focus on complex tasks, social interactions, and survival-oriented observations in the surroundings.
 The Illusion of Silence: Humans live in a state of 'sensory adaptation,' where the brain automatically fades out persistent, unchanging signals, creating the illusion that the body is silent when it is actually a hub of rhythmic mechanical activity.

Why It Matters

Understanding this process reveals the extraordinary level of computational power the brain dedicates to managing perception. Without this automatic suppression, the constant thumping of the heart would likely cause sensory overload, leading to significant distraction and reduced productivity in daily life. This silent filter is a masterpiece of biological efficiency.