What is the Hypothalamus and its Function? – Dr. Berg

Finally, the hypothalamus explained! Learn about the important role of the hypothalamus in the brain.

0:00 Introduction to the hypothalamus
0:44 Hypothalamus explained
2:53 Relationship between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland
3:33 Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and endocrine system feedback loop
4:55 External factors that interfere with hormones and the hypothalamus
5:26 Endocrine disruptors

In this video, I will go over hypothalamus function and structure. The hypothalamus is located in the brain below the thalamus. It’s a very small gland, only about the size of an almond. The hypothalamus is half gland and half nerve, so it belongs to both the endocrine system and the central nervous system.

The role of the hypothalamus is to help the body adapt to its environment, or in other words, maintain homeostasis.

The hypothalamus is responsible for:
• Sweating
• Blood pressure
• Stress reaction/rage
• Leptin (important for burning fat/metabolism)
• Gastrointestinal (GI) function
• Thirst
• Female sex hormones
• Satiety/tranquility
• Pleasure/sex drive
• Water balance/hydration
• Suprachiasmatic nuclei (body’s internal clock)
• Serves as the body’s thermostat
• Wakefulness
• Heartbeat/temperature

The hypothalamus works closely with the pituitary gland to regulate these bodily functions. The hypothalamus is like the CEO of the body, while the pituitary gland is like the manager, delegating tasks and seeing them through.

External factors and endocrine disruptors can interfere with this delicate system, so it’s important to understand how the hypothalamus works.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 57, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketosis

Thanks for watching. I hope this video has helped you better understand your hypothalamus and its function. I’ll see you in the next video.

[sandalbasotra]

Sir, you are definitely a very good teacher. No need of any animation or anything. Very nicely explained. Thank you so much.

[kathakdance]

hi doc, thanks for your videos. I watch your videos every single day. I feel so blessed that i can get all of this information absolutely free from the confines of my home- awesome! so informative and educational- love it. You do awesome work!!!

[celticirishart-allthingsir]

thanks for this my 21 year old son has a craniofariogioma brain tumour since he was 3 yrs and this is the first time i understand the feedback hypothalmus. the hypothalamus can heal as my son lost his hunger senses due to compression of tumour for at least 4 years, he ate only a few teaspoons of food per day, but drank gallons of water, he has now got normal appetite and eats naturally veggie and no alcohol, his diabetic insipitous has gone too, he still needs thyroid medication and hydrocortisone and suffers from headaches and is almost blind. he takes sex hormones too and GH, he never sweated or smells bad either, his puberty was delayed. i wish u were his endocrine dr here in Uk.

[Mari-fewu]

Dear doc,
can you do a video about menopause? something that explain not only symptoms, but what hormones take and how the body is going to change through the years to come.
Thank you.

[florabraswell-nmre]

Dr Berg a light just went off in my brain listening to your video, you are absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for the way you explained this You may have saved my life God Bless You 🙏❤️

[almor]

Is it a coincidence that all the common symptoms of 'adrenaline fatigue' seem to match the areas of the hypothalamus?

[Wonkywatkins]

I am so thankful to find this.
The whole story would take too long but short (as I can) I use to take drugs. When I would smoke crack.. I would overheat to the point that I would stand outside in winter, with no top on, bags of peas under my armpits and STILL couldn’t cool down. I would also regularly get a pain in the top left of my stomach. A stabbing pain which honestly felt like a heart attack. I always overheated anyway. I have bipolar and ADHD. Depression etc. My sleep is all over the place. I have put on around 3-4 stone in weight, the last couple of years. For months I tried (and I really struggled but tried my best) to work out a few times a week, plus I did sea swims.
The adhd medication makes me over heat. I’m either boiling (no matter what time of year) or I’m shivering because my clothes are wet (simply sweating because of getting dressed or walking to the shop etc). Now I am going through the peri menopause and I literally cannot take any more. I rarely go out as I am either sweating or I am highly stressed because of the heat/sweating. This has sometimes led to me being full of rage and nasty to people (strangers) so I just try and stay on my own. Please help :(
PS I do not take any drugs other than prescribed meds now.

[tsy]

Perfect timing for this video. I saw a homeopath Monday and this is one of the things we are working on. I loved how you explained this!

[CarlettaWinston]

This is wonderful. It says everything I need my students to know. Thank you

[celticirishart-allthingsir]

apart from the physical side, i have noticed the hypothalamus is involved in thought and memory, my son has brilliant memory and sees colours in numbers and musical notes, great sense of taste buds, i heard that College students in america were taking DDAVP miniron hormone spray in their nose, used to ease Diabetic inspidous to enhance memory before exams.

[nomfundonomcebombatha]

I hardly ever comment on YouTube Videos, but WOW!!! This was so beautifully explained. Reminds me of Albert Einstein's quote on being able to explain things in a simple manner because you understand. Thank you very much for this, I want to share it with everyone.

[Tatacchan]

How can we fix the Hypothalamus? (especially in the case of HPA Axis Dysfunction)

[AnjaliRajadhyaksha]

A Yogi (an expert in Yoga) strives to conquer the hypothalamus, & through that the thought & bodily processes. But it's a deeper subject. So it's important to know the various aspects of hypothalamus. Thank you Doctor.

[WaterGirl]

I always learn a tremendous amount and love your way of explanations on all your videos. Thank you.
Now we need to learn if there is anyway to heal/improve the hypothalamus.

[wesleyhampton]

God Bless You Doc. Thank you for helping mental illness. I enjoyed the video; because, I have been studying the effects of sound and words. I want to help others like you have done. I don’t attend any school but genuinely become intrigued with learning what not to do when my body sends my brain signals, then sharing what is discovered. Please forgive me for being a fan and saying much of what has probably become bland to you with your level of intelligence. You do deserve praise for your help however. Will you also help me find the quiz please? Sometimes I miss details or struggle to find prompts due to how much I absorb into my Hypothalamus.

[lilly-lkmp]

Can a root canal cause a stress on the hypothalamus? I read a lot about the dangers of root canals and how they are considered dead teeth and can lead to autoimmune problems and so on....Do you think this could be a cause?

[christinegower]

Hi Doc, love your videos a lot, thank you, they help us take our power back.
Please can you explain about the endocrine system and histamine intolerance.
Thank you from UK 🙏🏽x

[USSBARBEL]

Doc, THANKS! That was absolutely amazing and simple to digest. Looking to get healthier (just hit 60 and morbidly obese... retired sailor) and researching the 'control' level of the body before I dive in to probably intermittent fasting. Thanks for the all the guidance!

[lindawilliams]

This video helped a lot, its my first time watching your channel and it truly helped me understand SO MUCH thank you please keep up the good work

[Angela-Renae]

dr Berg, your video topics are always right on time!! thks! i do feel so even keeled and loving it!! can you talj about maca root powder in conjunction with keto lifestyle