Where the Gray Matters
Recent neuroscience is showing that the more we move into fear and threat response, the more we exercise and strengthen the neural pathways around the limbic brain which is our fight -or-flight center. We also end up shrinking or pruning back the neural pathways in our prefrontal cortex which then inhibit our abilities to see […]
Which Muscles are You Exercising?
Your cortices, like muscles, grow with use. So if you use your limbic brain to function mostly–in fear and threat–you strengthen that part of the brain so it dominates. If you use your prefrontal cortex mostly–for higher level thought like compassion, empathy and learning–that part of the brain gains dominance. What muscle are you exercising?
Is Turmeric the Door to Enlightenment?
Neuroscience and fMRI’s now tell us that insight and higher-order thought processes such as empathy, unity consciousness, and a sense of one-ness all occur in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. We also know that stress and fear strengthen the mid-portion of the brain called the limbic system. A stressful life causes the mid portion […]
Your Cranky Mood Could Be Because Your Brain is Bored
Hebb’s Law states that neurons that fire together wire together. This is the basis of neuroplasticity–our ability to rewire our brains, behaviors, moods and thoughts. This happens when our brains are signaled to pay attention, like when we’re learning something new. In this learning environment the brain releases dopamine and acetylcholine which stamp the […]
Can You See What I’m Saying?
Our ability to accurately read facial expression comes mostly from our prefrontal cortex. When we are stressed we shut down our prefrontal and actually impair our ability to accurately label others’ expressions and motivations. So being in “threat” mode predisposes us to misinterpret and make false assumptions about others. What happens when a bunch of […]
Use Your Illusions for Good!
If you give the prefrontal cortex the “perception” that it has control over your stress response, it will signal all the way back to the amygdala and brain stem and override the primitive brain stress response. Creating visuals and acting them out in your mind gives your PFC this exact perception! Engage your imagination for […]
Liberals vs. Conservatives: Dueling Brains
The more we exercise an area of our brain, the more neural pathways we grow which increases the thickness of the gray matter. It’s almost like building muscles; the more you use a muscle the more it becomes the one that you lean on often. In recent studies done at the University College of London, […]
A Joke to Improve Cognitive Abilities
Can a joke improve your cognitive abilities? According to a New York Times article, maintaining a positive mood makes it easier to find solutions to problems, including solving puzzles, noticing details, and seeing the big picture. It is believed that this is due to the dopamine flowing in the prefrontal cortex, enabling us to notice […]
