A team of American scientists has discovered what is being called the sixth sense in the human body—a hidden sensory system known as interoception, which allows the brain to track internal organs and regulate their functions to preserve balance and health, according to the Daily Mail.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in the United States explained that this sense acts as an integrated monitoring system inside the body. The brain receives precise signals from the heart, lungs, stomach, and kidneys, determining when to adjust breathing, manage blood pressure drops, or activate the immune system when detecting infection.

The research team recently received a $14.2 million grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health to develop the first complete anatomical map of neural communication pathways between internal organs and the brain.

Professor Shane Jin, one of the study’s leaders, stated that interoception represents a vital foundation for human health, yet it has remained largely unexplored. The project aims to understand how the brain regulates bodily functions and how imbalance in this process leads to various diseases.

The concept of interoception dates back to the early 20th century when British neuroscientist Charles Sherrington first proposed it, but only in recent years has it gained attention as evidence mounts linking it to both physical and mental disorders.

While the traditional five senses rely on external organs such as the eyes, nose, and skin, this sixth sense operates through an internal neural network spread throughout organs and tissues without clear boundaries.

Research indicates that disruptions in this network are associated with chronic immune diseases, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

Scientists hope the project will lead to a comprehensive atlas of the internal sensory system, paving the way for new therapies that restore balance between the brain and internal organs and deepen medical understanding of the intricate mind-body connection.