Scientists discover a surprising 'brain' hidden inside the heart

A surprising new scientific study has revealed that the heart has a small network of neurons capable of controlling essential bodily functions. The research conducted at Yale University in US, was published in July 2026 in the scientific journal Cell. It revealed that this nervous system participates in regulating heartbeats and also protects the organ during physical or physiological stress situations.A 'brain' hidden inside the heartAlthough it represents only about 0.01% of the cells present in this tissue, the set functions as a local command centre. The research analysed the so-called intrinsic cardiac nervous system, a neural network located in the adipose tissue surrounding the heart. Although it represents only about 0.01% of the cells present in this tissue, the set functions as a local command centre. As per the researchers, these neurons communicate with each other and also receive information sent by the brain.A cardiac control centreThe intestine is often called the 'second brain' for housing an extensive network of neurons linked to digestion and hormone production. But what remained unknown until now is that the heart has its own nervous system, though much smaller. ...