Self-control is linked to interoceptive inference

TY - JOUR

T1 - Self-control is linked to interoceptive inference

T2 - Craving regulation and the prediction of aversive interoceptive states induced with inspiratory breathing load

AU - Kruschwitz, Johann D

AU - Kausch, Anne

AU - Brovkin, Anastasia

AU - Keshmirian, Anita

AU - Paulus, Martin P

AU - Goschke, Thomas

AU - Walter, Henrik

N1 - Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PY - 2019/12

Y1 - 2019/12

N2 - The interoceptive inference framework suggests that our brain continuously anticipates future states of our body and aims to avoid events that might counteract homeostasis by minimizing prediction errors through active inference; e.g. appropriate actions. If predicted interoceptive models are inaccurate, behavior inconsistent with our long-term homeostatic goals may result; e.g. in failures in self-control. Using a within-subject design including an inspiratory breathing-load task to examine the prediction of aversive interoceptive perturbation and a craving-regulation for palatable foods task, we examined the relationship between self-control and aversive interoceptive predictive models. Those individuals (n = 51 healthy individuals from the general population) who were more accurate in predicting their interoceptive state with respect to anticipated versus experienced dyspnea were significantly more effective in the down-regulation of craving using negative future-thinking strategies. These individuals also scored higher on a measure of trait self-control, i.e. self-regulation to achieve long-term goals. Thus, individuals with more accurate predictive interoceptive models are better able to modulate cravings and thus exert better self-control.

AB - The interoceptive inference framework suggests that our brain continuously anticipates future states of our body and aims to avoid events that might counteract homeostasis by minimizing prediction errors through active inference; e.g. appropriate actions. If predicted interoceptive models are inaccurate, behavior inconsistent with our long-term homeostatic goals may result; e.g. in failures in self-control. Using a within-subject design including an inspiratory breathing-load task to examine the prediction of aversive interoceptive perturbation and a craving-regulation for palatable foods task, we examined the relationship between self-control and aversive interoceptive predictive models. Those individuals (n = 51 healthy individuals from the general population) who were more accurate in predicting their interoceptive state with respect to anticipated versus experienced dyspnea were significantly more effective in the down-regulation of craving using negative future-thinking strategies. These individuals also scored higher on a measure of trait self-control, i.e. self-regulation to achieve long-term goals. Thus, individuals with more accurate predictive interoceptive models are better able to modulate cravings and thus exert better self-control.

U2 - 10.1016/j.cognition.2019.104028

DO - 10.1016/j.cognition.2019.104028

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 31330380

VL - 193

SP - 104028

JO - COGNITION

JF - COGNITION

SN - 0010-0277

ER -