A stimulus is something that our body detects and responds to. It can be anything we see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. Our body has special parts called sensory receptors that detect these stimuli. These sensory receptors can receive information from outside the body, as in touch receptors in the skin or light receptors in the eye and our ears have receptors that sense sound, but also from inside the body, as in chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors.
When a stimulus is detected, the sensory receptors send signals to our brain. Then, our brain interprets these signals and helps us understand and react to what we are experiencing. So, whenever we notice something around us, it’s because our sensory receptors are responding to different stimuli and sending messages to our brain.
Our ability to respond to stimuli is fundamental to every aspect of our lives. Everything we experience, whether tangible or intangible, arrives as stimuli that are interpreted by our body and brain. External stimuli originate from the world around us, encompassing the sights we see, the sounds we hear, the tastes we encounter, and the sensations we feel. These external stimuli are collected by our senses and processed by our brain, guiding our physical and behavioral responses.
Equally important are the internal stimuli that arise from within us. Internal stimuli include our thoughts, emotions, and decisions, which contribute to our perception of the world and shape our experiences. These internal stimuli reflect the intricate workings of our cognitive processes, emotions, and neural networks. They influence our behavior, decision-making, and overall sense of well-being.
Moreover, our intentions and perceptions have a profound impact on our reality. Our intentions guide our actions and determine the direction we take in life. Meanwhile, perception acts as a lens through which we interpret and make sense of the stimuli we encounter. How we perceive and interpret the world shapes our reality, influencing our emotions, beliefs, and responses to external and internal stimuli.
In this intricate dance of stimuli and responses, the fascia—an extensive network of connective tissue—plays a crucial role. The fascia envelops and connects our muscles, bones, and organs, serving as a sensory organ itself. It helps interpret and transmit signals, allowing us to perceive and respond to stimuli. Moreover, the fascia also adapts physically and emotionally to stimuli. It can tighten or release tension in response to stress, influencing our movement patterns and emotional well-being.
As we navigate through life, our body and mind continuously adapt to the stimuli we encounter. Physical and emotional responses arise, shaping our behaviors, attitudes, and overall well-being. By recognizing the significance of stimuli and understanding our body’s adaptive nature, we can cultivate a deeper awareness of our experiences. This awareness empowers us to respond more intentionally and effectively to stimuli, leading to personal growth, emotional resilience, and a more enriched and fulfilling existence.
In physiology, a stimulus (plural stimuli) is a detectable change in the internal or external environment. When a stimulus is applied to a sensory receptor, it normally elicits of influences a reflex via stimulus transduction.
Stimuli can be perceived by the central nervous system as:
1. Dangerous
2. Neutral
3. Positive
Your CNS will generally try to avoid or overcome dangerous stimuli, approach a positive stimuli, and learn to recognise modality of stimuli on a conscious level.
Stimuli which are neutral to some people could be considered dangerous by other people according to their individual experiences and traumas in life. For example, if you’ve been bitten by a dog before, you’ll likely view dogs as a dangerous stimuli, and your body will immediately respond, regardless of whether or not you are consciously telling yourself it was just a one off and you used to love dogs before.
It is believed that if a trauma or dangerous stimuli has not been consciously resolved within a maximum of 18 months, that this then becomes integrated into the nervous system. Many will experience this when subsequent partners say or do things that remind them of traumatic or unpleasant experiences in the past, even if the situations and circumstances are nowhere near similar.