The gut and heart’s role in reward processing

Reward processing, which ensures survival, has evolved to also shape emotions, learning, and overall well-being. While traditional models of reward have focused predominantly on central neural circuits, emerging evidence underscores the role of peripheral bodily signals. This represents a new opport...

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Main Authors: Minel Arinel, Karim Abdelaal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2025.1479923/full
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author Minel Arinel
Karim Abdelaal
author_facet Minel Arinel
Karim Abdelaal
author_sort Minel Arinel
collection DOAJ
description Reward processing, which ensures survival, has evolved to also shape emotions, learning, and overall well-being. While traditional models of reward have focused predominantly on central neural circuits, emerging evidence underscores the role of peripheral bodily signals. This represents a new opportunity by which we may understand neurological and neuropsychiatric health. In this review, we explore the gut-brain and heart-brain interfaces in reward processing, delineating their contributions across distinct phases of reward and offering insights into their bioenergetic significance. By framing this interplay within an adaptive and clinical context, we propose new avenues for understanding and treating neuropsychiatric disorders through a mind–body medicine lens.
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series Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
spelling doaj-art-7d14bd721fb34f5b9cc45f7b3e7542ad2025-08-20T03:28:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience1662-51452025-07-011910.3389/fnint.2025.14799231479923The gut and heart’s role in reward processingMinel Arinel0Karim Abdelaal1Naumann Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United StatesThe Collective for Psychiatric Neuroengineering, Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United StatesReward processing, which ensures survival, has evolved to also shape emotions, learning, and overall well-being. While traditional models of reward have focused predominantly on central neural circuits, emerging evidence underscores the role of peripheral bodily signals. This represents a new opportunity by which we may understand neurological and neuropsychiatric health. In this review, we explore the gut-brain and heart-brain interfaces in reward processing, delineating their contributions across distinct phases of reward and offering insights into their bioenergetic significance. By framing this interplay within an adaptive and clinical context, we propose new avenues for understanding and treating neuropsychiatric disorders through a mind–body medicine lens.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2025.1479923/fullrewardgut-brainheart-brainadaptive behaviorbioenergeticsinteroceptive therapeutics
spellingShingle Minel Arinel
Karim Abdelaal
The gut and heart’s role in reward processing
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
reward
gut-brain
heart-brain
adaptive behavior
bioenergetics
interoceptive therapeutics
title The gut and heart’s role in reward processing
title_full The gut and heart’s role in reward processing
title_fullStr The gut and heart’s role in reward processing
title_full_unstemmed The gut and heart’s role in reward processing
title_short The gut and heart’s role in reward processing
title_sort gut and heart s role in reward processing
topic reward
gut-brain
heart-brain
adaptive behavior
bioenergetics
interoceptive therapeutics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2025.1479923/full
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