What is the vestibular system?

The vestibular system, as explained by Andrew Huberman, is designed to detect and sense how we are moving through the world. It involves a relationship between our movement and the world around us, yet it primarily senses the movement of our own body. This system, partly a gravity sensing system, detects gravity as a force acting on us, providing a sense of movement even if other senses like sight and hearing are not engaged. It is crucial for maintaining balance and orientation in relation to our environment 1.

For a more detailed understanding, the vestibular system in humans and other animals with jaws consists of structures called semicircular canals in the inner ear. These canals contain little calcium-like stones that move and deflect tiny hair cells when the head moves. This movement of the stones causes the hair cells (which are neurons) to send signals to the brain about the head's movement. This exquisite system is involved whenever we change the orientation of our head in different directions, helping us maintain balance and spatial orientation 2.

Overall, the vestibular system is fundamental in integrating sensory information about motion, equilibrium, and spatial orientation.