How Does Your Brain Communicate With Your Body?

When you decide to move your arm, most of the time your arm moves. When you watch a sad movie, your eyes may produce tears. How do the parts of your body get the information from your brain that makes them respond the way they do?

Recall that the nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS; the brain and the spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS; the nerves in the rest of the body). The PNS transmits a variety of information to the CNS. It also responds to messages from the CNS to perform specific behaviors or make bodily adjustments. In producing psychological activity, the nervous system also interacts with the hormones of the endocrine system. Let’s examine how these various interactions affect mental activity and behavior.