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What Is the Role of the Autonomic Nervous System?

M. Glass
M. Glass

The primary role of the autonomic nervous system is to regulate essential bodily functions, like heart rate and breathing. These functions are sufficiently important that voluntary control is minimal. An individual can control his or her rate of breathing but cannot stop it altogether, because breathing will resume as soon as consciousness is lost. Other functions, such as heart rate, digestion and body temperature, are under even less voluntary control.

A person's nervous system is divided into two subsystems: the central nervous system, which is made up of the spinal cord and brain, and the peripheral nervous system, which includes all the other nerves. Subsequent division of the peripheral nervous system into the autonomic and sensory-somatic systems can be differentiated, in part, by the degree of conscious control that is necessary for functioning. Sensory-somatic functions, such as muscle activity and the processing of sensory information, are under a great deal of voluntary control. Autonomic functions, such as breathing and circulation, can be modified consciously but generally are more reflexive and automatic than somatic ones.

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal chord.
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal chord.

The nerves that control smooth muscle organs, such as the intestines, cardiac muscles, respiration, and the body's glands, make up the autonomic nervous system. It is divided into three major components: the sympathetic nervous system, which activates these systems as needed; the parasympathetic system, which relaxes it; and the enteric system, which regulates the digestive system. The autonomic system also is responsible for monitoring internal conditions and directing resources toward or away from specific organs as needed to keep the body functioning optimally.

The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate and breathing.
The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate and breathing.

Responding to danger is a secondary role of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic branch controls the fight-or-flight response that enables all animals, including people, to respond to threats. When danger is perceived, the sympathetic nervous system engages and directs blood away from the periphery of the body and toward the heart, lungs, and brain. Increased heart rate and respiration will energize the person and prepare him or her either to fight or to escape the situation.

Yoga and meditation can be used to calm an overstimulated autonomic nervous system.
Yoga and meditation can be used to calm an overstimulated autonomic nervous system.

Calming down after the danger has passed is the domain of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Although the autonomic nervous system is primarily reflexive, some skilled practitioners are able to recruit it to enhance relaxation and concentration. Breathing is the most readily controllable autonomic function, and many people are able to use breath control to relax, reduce stress, and minimize pain. Others use yoga and meditation exercises to enhance concentration and invoke a feeling of calm by triggering the parasympathetic system to slow down their heart rate and increase their circulation.

Discussion Comments

QuirkyMango

@HuggingKit- I believe that panic episodes are brought on by the brain and irrational fears, and this triggers your sympathetic nervous system to spring into action.

Then you feel the usual panic symptoms, like sweating and a racing heart. I've had panic attacks for many years, and read up on the subject. I've never read anything other than the brain or maybe caffeine triggering a panic attack.

HuggingKit

Since people who suffer from panic attacks trigger their flight or fight response, does that mean they may have a problem with their autonomic nervous system? Or, is it the brain that triggers the response? I wonder how much of a role it plays in panic disorders, if any.

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    • The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal chord.
      By: J E Theriot
      The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal chord.
    • The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate and breathing.
      By: pixdesign123
      The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate and breathing.
    • Yoga and meditation can be used to calm an overstimulated autonomic nervous system.
      By: Syda Productions
      Yoga and meditation can be used to calm an overstimulated autonomic nervous system.