Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a small but vital part of the brain located just below the thalamus. It plays a key role in regulating many of your body's automatic functions, such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, sleep, and emotional responses. It also controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland, influencing growth, metabolism, and stress responses. Essentially, the hypothalamus acts as a command center that maintains your body's balance and responds to internal signals to keep you functioning smoothly.