That's not really true, the body actually has pretty profound effects on the mind. For instance, there are working theories that many mental disorders are actually metabolic disorder, some neurotransmitters are majority produced in the gut (seratonin), and even things like an elevated heart rate will create emotional states of anxiety even if you're not consciously anxious of anything. That's like the tip of the iceberg. (Also I don't think you can minimize hormones.. ever met a teenager?)
replyWhich of these do not involve chemical and neural communication?
reply> The body itself has little effect on the mind other than the inputs from nerves and chemical and hormonal changes.
reply"Little"...
"Other than... chemical... changes" is doing a lot of heavy lifting. The entire existence of your body is a continuous process of chemical reactions.
replyI can narrow that to the chemical signals that can cross the blood-brain barrier if that makes the point clearer.
replyThere are tens of millions of neurons in the stomach and intestines which do influence mood and motivate behavior.
replyand how do those signals reach the brain?
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