The brainstem is the posterior part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord. It includes the medulla, pons, and midbrain. It regulates essential life functions: breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, arousal, and consciousness.
Key Functions
- •Life support — respiratory and cardiovascular centers
- •Reticular formation — arousal, sleep-wake cycles, attention
- •Cranial nerve nuclei — including the vagus nerve (parasympathetic)
- •Sensory gate — relays sensory input to thalamus and cortex
In ONDA Life
Part 1 works with "the connection between the brainstem and the insula" for primary interoception. Part 2 activates "ancient brainstem structures" for automatic locomotion. Part 3 tunes "the brainstem and reticular formation."