Neuroception is a subconscious process by which our nervous system continuously evaluates the environment, determining whether it’s safe, dangerous, or life-threatening. Coined by Dr. Stephen Porges, the concept explains why we sometimes experience fear, comfort, or tension without any conscious reasoning. Neuroception guides our physiological states and emotional responses, influencing how we interact with others, approach challenges, or seek refuge.
This intrinsic safety-threat evaluation affects everything from social bonding to stress responses. Understanding neuroception helps researchers, therapists, and technologists design interventions and tools that align with our innate cues. In the context of AI, modeling neuroception-like processes can inform systems that detect subtle emotional states and adapt accordingly, promoting more empathetic human-computer interactions.