Humans evolved to be both hunters and hunted; although Homo sapiens can take down large prey, our species is also vulnerable to big predators. Now, new research reveals how the human brain switches between these two modes of survival.
The answer lies in the hypothalamus, a tiny structure nestled deep in the middle of the organ. This ancient brain region predates the evolution of vertebrates and thus appears in all vertebrate animals; similar brain regions also exist in invertebrates. The hypothalamus is known for performing very basic survival tasks, such as regulating body temperature, triggering the release of hormones, regulating circadian rhythms and sending out hunger cues.
