An algedonic signal is a pre-emptive message concerning pleasure or pain.
An arousal mechanism can generate an algedonic signal, and thus provide an important survival mechanism to a living organism by alerting it to a threat. An example of the disastrous consequences of such a system not being in place is that of a moth attracted by the light of an open flame without recognising the danger of fire.
In the
human nervous system
In biology, the nervous system is the highly complex part of an animal that coordinates its actions and sensory information by transmitting signals to and from different parts of its body. The nervous system detects environmental changes th ...
a variety of algedonic signals are brought together in the
midbrain reticular formation
The midbrain reticular formation (MRF), also known as reticular formation of midbrain, mesencephalic reticular formation, tegmental reticular formation, and formatio reticularis (tegmenti) mesencephali, is a structure in the midbrain consisting of ...
from across the whole body.
A source of pain, such as touching a burning surface or treading on broken glass, creates such an algedonic signal which interrupts consciousness and provokes a
reflex action
In biology, a reflex, or reflex action, is an involuntary, unplanned sequence or action and nearly instantaneous response to a stimulus.
Reflexes are found with varying levels of complexity in organisms with a nervous system. A reflex occurs ...
.
References
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Cybernetics