Reticular Activating System

The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is a network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in regulating wakefulness and attention. It acts like a filter, selecting which sensory information reaches your conscious awareness, helping you stay alert or fall asleep. The RAS also influences muscle arousal and consciousness levels. When it's active, you’re awake and alert; when it's less active, you feel sleepy or unconscious. Essentially, it serves as the brain’s gateway between sensory input and consciousness, maintaining alertness and enabling focus on relevant stimuli.