Which area of the brain is responsible for autopilot functions like heart rate and breathing?

The brain stem is crucial for regulating many of the body's vital functions that operate automatically, which are often referred to as autopilot functions. This includes the control of heart rate and breathing, as well as other essential autonomic processes such as blood pressure and digestion. The brain stem acts as a vital pathway for information traveling between the brain and the spinal cord and contains structures like the medulla oblongata, which directly manage these life-sustaining functions.

In contrast, the prefrontal cortex is primarily involved in higher-order functions such as decision-making, planning, and social behavior, and does not regulate autonomic functions. The extended amygdala is involved in processing emotions and fear responses, while the basal ganglia are primarily associated with movement regulation and the coordination of voluntary motor control. These areas do not have the same direct influence over the automatic processes critical for survival as the brain stem does.