Similarly, the “downstairs brain” is responsible for basic functions like breathing and heart rate, as well as sensory processing and sensing threat. The upstairs brain is our more sophisticated, “thinking” brain. It's not fully developed until our mid-20s!

The Human Brain It controls the working of all parts of the body. It also controls a person's thoughts and feelings. It allows a person to sense the outside world. The brain helps the body to stay healthy and to respond in the right way to its environment.

The cerebellum is the back of the brain. It is located at the back of the head. Its function is to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. It also maintains posture, balance, and equilibrium.

Your brain has a little bunch of cells on each side called the amygdala (say: uh-MIG-duh-luh). The word amygdala is Latin for almond, and that's what this area looks like. Scientists believe that the amygdala is responsible for emotion. It's normal to feel all different kinds of emotions, good and bad.