Epiphenomenalism
Epiphenomenalism is a view in philosophy of mind suggesting that our physical experiences trigger our mental states, like thoughts and emotions. Importantly, while these mental states are caused by physical occurrences, they can't cause anything physical in return. For instance, the sensation of pain might cause the feeling of distress, but this feeling can't cause you to pull your hand away from a hot stove—that's just your body reacting physically. So, essentially, it's a one-way relationship from the physical to the mental.
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Epiphenomenalism is a philosophical theory about the relationship between the mind and the body. It suggests that mental events, like thoughts and feelings, are byproducts of physical processes in the brain but do not influence physical actions. In other words, while our thoughts might arise from brain activity, they don't cause us to do anything. Instead, our behavior is driven solely by physical states. This view raises questions about free will and the true role of consciousness, prompting discussion about whether our mental experiences are significant or merely shadows of our brain's workings.