Hydrating Our Brains and Bodies

As summer temperatures rise, so does the urge to quench our thirst. Staying hydrated provides a base for healthy cell function and allows our bodies to maintain homeostasis, stabilizing the condition of our organs.

The hypothalamus acts as a key hub for thirst regulation in the brain. It receives information from osmoreceptors, which alert the brain about deviations in the amount of water inside our cells.  The hypothalamus relays this information to the pituitary gland, which creates and releases molecules to tell our brains and bodies when to shift into a state of thirst.

H₂O isn’t just for our survival and wellness — it’s also used to help visualize our brains. Diffusion imaging relies on the flow of water molecules along brain nerve fibers for its intricate images. Select the icons below to learn more about the relationship between water and the brain.

About the Author

Cyrenna Cooper

Cyrenna Cooper is the Web Communications Specialist for BrainFacts.org. She graduated from George Mason University in 2017 with a degree in Communications.