Humans and other mammals control body temperature through a gland in the brain called hypothalamus. This gland acts as a thermostat. When its temperature goes below a set point, it activates the production of metabolic heat. Otherwise, when the hypothalamus cools over a set point, the production of metabolic heat is decreased and mechanism of heat dissipation, such as sweating, are activated. Hypothalamus temperature is influenced by nerve impulses from receptors near the skin and the temperature of the blood flowing throught it.