Which part of the brain is known as the 'emotional center'?

The limbic system is recognized as the 'emotional center' of the brain because it plays a crucial role in processing emotions, motivation, and emotional behaviors. This complex set of structures located deep within the brain includes the amygdala, hippocampus, and other related components that are directly associated with feelings like fear, pleasure, and anger, as well as the formation of memories that have emotional significance.

The limbic system helps integrate emotional responses to environmental stimuli and is essential for our ability to experience and express emotions. It also connects to various parts of the brain that are involved in our cognitive processes, thereby influencing how we interact with the world around us. This interaction between emotion and cognition highlights its critical function in regulating emotions and behaviors.

In contrast, the cerebellum is primarily responsible for motor control and coordination; the cerebrum is involved in higher-level cognitive functions such as reasoning and decision-making; and the brainstem controls basic life functions like heart rate and breathing, none of which are directly tied to the emotional processing that the limbic system handles.