Kehasiseste

Kehasiseste is a term used in some interdisciplinary discussions to denote the system of internal bodily states and the networks that regulate them. It encompasses neural, hormonal, metabolic, and immune signaling that originate within the body and influence perception, cognition, and behavior. The term highlights interoception, the brain's continual monitoring of internal signals, and the feedback loops that sustain homeostasis.

Conceptually, kehasiseste places emphasis on cross-system coordination rather than isolated organ function. Key elements include autonomic and neuroendocrine pathways, energy-sensing mechanisms (such as AMP-activated protein kinase and mTOR pathways), and immune mediators. It also accounts for how internal states shape decision-making, mood, and resilience.

In research, kehasiseste is used to frame studies in systems biology, psychophysiology, and personalized medicine. Methodological approaches include multimodal imaging, wearable biosensors, and integrative data analysis that links physiological signals with subjective interoceptive experience.

Critiques note that the term is not universally adopted and that operational definitions vary across disciplines. Measuring interoception and internal signaling remains complex, which can hinder cross-study comparability. Nonetheless, the framework aims to unify disparate findings about how the body and brain co-regulate internal states.

The etymology derives from Estonian keha 'body' and siseste 'internal', and the term appears predominantly in theoretical discussions rather than formal medical nomenclature.