Does Our Head Really Rule Our Heart?

Does Our Head
Really Rule Our Heart?

Modern science has begun to unravel the intricate physiological and neurological relationship between the heart and the brain, shedding light on how these two vital organs interact in ways far beyond simple circulation and thought processes.

The brain sends electrical and chemical signals throughout the nervous system, controlling the body’s functions, including heart rate, respiration, digestion, and movement. For centuries, medical science largely ignored the idea that the heart might have a say in how we think, feel, and act.

 However, recent scientific studies challenge this view, and the heart is an active participant in regulating emotions, decision-making, and even consciousness itself. This emerging research supports the idea that the heart does, in some ways, “rule” the head.

The heart and brain are linked through a complex communication network involving the autonomic nervous system, hormonal pathways, and electromagnetic fields. 

 Studies have shown that signals from the heart travel to the brain via the  vagus nerve and other pathways, influencing cognition, emotional regulation, and decision-making. This bidirectional communication suggests that the heart is not merely a recipient of orders from the brain but actively contributes to how we process information and experience emotions.

There is something called the Heart Rate Variability and Emotional Intelligence which is the variation in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. Research has found that when individuals experience positive emotions such as love, gratitude, or compassion, their HRV becomes more coherent and balanced, which in turn enhances cognitive function and mental clarity.

Conversely, stress, anger, and fear reduce HRV, leading to chaotic heart rhythms that impair decision-making and emotional stability. 

The HeartMath Institute, a leading research organization studying heart-brain interactions, has demonstrated that heart coherence—a state in which the heart’s rhythms are harmonious—improves cognitive function, enhances intuition, and fosters emotional well-being.

Perhaps one of the most groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience is that the heart has its own intrinsic nervous system, often referred to as the “heart brain.” This network of neurons, neurotransmitters, and proteins enables the heart to process information, learn, remember, and even make independent decisions.

Neurocardiology, the study of the heart’s nervous system, has revealed that the heart contains approximately 40,000 neurons, known as sensory neurites, which can sense, process, and transmit information to the brain. These neurites communicate directly with the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex—areas of the brain involved in emotional processing, memory, and decision-making.

This suggests that the heart is not merely responding to brain signals but actively sending information that can influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Another fascinating area of research is the heart’s electromagnetic field. The heart generates the largest electromagnetic field in the human body—far greater than that of the brain. This field extends several feet beyond the body and is measurable using sensitive instruments like magnetometers.

Studies indicate that this electromagnetic field is not only influenced by emotions but can also affect the brain waves of others. 

Experiments conducted by the HeartMath Institute suggest that when individuals are in a state of heart coherence, their electromagnetic fields can synchronize with those of people around them, promoting emotional balance and social harmony. This could explain why people often “feel” the emotions of others before any words are spoken.

Numerous studies suggest that the heart plays a crucial role in decision-making and intuition. In a groundbreaking experiment conducted at the Institute of HeartMath, researchers found that the heart appears to receive intuitive information milliseconds before the brain.

Additionally, research in behavioral economics and psychology has shown that people who are more in touch with their bodily sensations, including heart rhythms, tend to make better intuitive decisions. This suggests that the heart’s signals provide valuable insights that can guide rational thought and decision-making.

While the brain remains the central processing unit of the body, modern science has demonstrated that the heart is far more than a simple pump. It actively communicates with the brain through multiple pathways, influences emotions, and even plays a role in intuition and decision-making. The discovery of the heart’s intrinsic nervous system, its ability to generate a powerful electromagnetic field, and its role in regulating emotional states all point to a more profound relationship between heart and brain than previously recognized.

So, the “old wives” tale, like many of them, has a ring of truth behind it.

Science is only beginning to uncover the full extent of the heart’s intelligence, and future research will likely continue to reveal the heart’s vital role in human experience.

As I often say to clients, when considering options to a problem or situation, go with whatever resonates within your heart - not your head.

In 2002 we moved from England, leaving behind a very successful healing center and practice, to bring our energy healing work to America - because in our hearts we felt it was the right thing to do.

It was totally illogical, leaving behind children and family, to start again with a blank sheet of paper, but our “inner guidance” told us it was the right thing to do.

So here we are!

Try it and see!
Love & Light

 Roger

“For those who understand – no explanation is necessary – for those who do not understand, no amount of explaining will be sufficient”