What bodily states does interoception specifically help an individual recognize?

Internal conditions such as hunger, thirst, pain, or the need to use the restroom

Interoception is the specialized sense dedicated to monitoring the internal physiological condition of the body. This system provides crucial awareness regarding basic survival needs and general comfort states. It is responsible for signaling internal states like hunger pangs, thirst, the sensation of physical pain, or the urgency associated with needing to void the bladder or bowels. A disruption in interoception can hinder the ability to recognize these early physical cues, potentially leading someone to miss signs of fatigue or struggle to differentiate a purely physical sensation, like a racing heart due to exertion, from a purely emotional response like anxiety.