Sensory gating

Sensory gating is the brain’s way of filtering out unnecessary or repetitive information from our environment, allowing us to focus on what truly matters. It helps prevent sensory overload by dampening responses to familiar or irrelevant stimuli, such as ignoring the hum of a refrigerator or the background noise of a busy street. This process involves specific brain pathways that regulate how much sensory information reaches our awareness, ensuring we stay attentive and responsive to new or important signals without becoming overwhelmed. Sensory gating is essential for efficient perception and mental clarity.