The brainstem controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate, making survival impossible without it. Located at the base of the brain, it acts as the body’s control center for automatic functions that keep us alive. Besides regulating breathing and heart rate, it also controls blood pressure, digestion, and reflexes like swallowing and blinking—all without us having to think about them.
The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord, allowing signals to travel between the brain and the rest of the body. This is why damage to the brainstem can be extremely dangerous, as it can disrupt communication between the brain and vital organs.
In addition to keeping the body running, the brainstem helps control balance and movement, allowing us to stand, walk, and react to sudden changes in our surroundings. It also plays a role in sleep and wakefulness, helping us stay alert during the day and rest at night.
Without the brainstem, the body couldn’t function, making it one of the most essential parts of the nervous system. This small but powerful structure works every second of our lives to keep us breathing, moving, and responding to the world around us.
