Hemo‑Neural Hypothesis
Blood flow can modulate neural activity (beyond mere energy delivery).
Building on previous concepts
SOHMs resonate in neural tissue, but blood flow directly modulates their activity. This coupling is how vascular changes affect computation.
Concepts you've learned so far:
Felt experience
What does this concept feel like in the body and behavior? Read, notice, then try.
Changes in local blood flow create subtle but detectable shifts in sensation. You might notice this as the warm spreading feeling when blood vessels dilate, or the tight, constrictive quality when they constrict. These aren't just side effects—they're part of the informational content.
Different patterns of blood flow correspond to distinct cognitive states. The focused clarity of deep concentration involves different vascular patterns than the expansive awareness of creative insight. Learning to recognize these hemodynamic signatures can enhance metacognitive awareness.
Mechanism
What the animation teaches: The flowing highlight shows blood flow affecting neural excitability. The dashed feedback line animates to show the bidirectional coupling - it's not just one-way nutrient delivery.
The hemo-neural hypothesis suggests that blood flow changes aren't just supporting neural computation—they're participating in it. Vascular smooth muscle contractions can create local pressure changes that directly influence neural firing patterns and information processing.