Central mechanisms of thermal and emotional sweating has been elucidated by using functional MRI in healthy human subjects. The hypothalamus (preoptic region) was specifically activated during thermal sweating, whereas prefrontal regions, insula, and anterior cingulate were activated during emotional sweating. Both thermal and emotional sweating were associated with activation in the dorsal midbrain and in the rostral lateral medulla. These results suggested that sweating in human represents not only sympathetic activation but also integrates emotional function, internal awareness, and attentional arousal in humans.