What are mirror neurons?

Mirror neurons are a debated concept in neuroscience. Initially, they were identified as neurons that activate when an individual performs an action, and similarly when they observe the same action performed by another. This has led many to suggest that mirror neurons facilitate understanding and predicting others' actions, potentially contributing to empathy and social interactions.

However, significant controversy exists around mirror neurons' exact role, particularly their connection to empathy and emotional responses. Andrew Huberman notes in his discussion that while there are indeed neurons that represent actions observed in others, it's not clear if they are directly linked to emotion and empathy systems. He emphasizes that a more accurate perspective might be thinking about these as neurons attempting to predict behaviors, which are important for forming emotional bonds and interactions 1.

Another perspective provided by Mary Helen Immordino-Yang in Huberman Lab discusses that while our brains do not have specific 'mirror neurons', the neural systems are indeed wired to help us understand and simulate others' experiences through our own. This might involve brain regions linked with action planning and goal-oriented actions, indicating a complex network rather than a single type of neuron dedicated to mirroring 2.