Moods are tricky things. Some come and go quickly, causing no real distress, but others are more obstinate. Some can be overwhelming, causing depression or other uncomfortable mental states. But a better understanding of the brain and how it works can help you avoid emotions’ all-consuming potential.
A fascinating book, “Buddha’s Brain” by Drs. Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius, explains some of the complexities of the brain. Their foreword states, “Buddha’s Brain is an invitation to use the focus of your mind to harness the power of attention to enhance your life and your relationships … Synthesizing ancient insights from contemplative practice … with modern discoveries from … neuroscience, (the authors) have assembled a thought-provoking and practical guide that walks you step-by-step through awakening your mind.”
They start with some basic facts about the brain, including:
• Its organ tissue weighing approximately 3 pounds with 1.1 trillion cells, including 100 billion neurons, each receiving about 5,000 connections or synapses from other neurons.
• Neurons communicate with each other. When a neuron fires, it sends signals to other neurons through its transmitting synapses, telling them to fire or not.
• Typical neurons fire five to 50 times a second.
• Neural signals contain bits of information, which are mostly outside your awareness. Your nervous system moves this information around like your heart moves blood. These signals regulate everything from your stress response to remembering how to ride a bike to your personality tendencies.
• Your brain’s the primary mover and shaper of your mind. Even though it’s only 2 percent of your body’s weight it uses 20 percent to 25 percent of its oxygen and glucose. This should suggest you need to be more aware of what you eat, knowing your diet also fuels your brain.
• The brain works as a whole system. Attributing a function, such as attention or emotion, to just one part of the brain is usually an oversimplification.
The authors compare your very busy brain to a refrigerator: always humming away, performing its functions.
Scientists have learned more about the brain over recent decades than was learned in all of recorded history. The great news is much of what they’re discovering can teach us how to activate brain states that underlie healthy mental states, allowing you to influence your own mind and mood.
The authors begin to describe how by explaining three fundamental functions of the brain:
1. Regulation: Your brain regulates itself and its bodily systems through a combination of excitatory and inhibitory activity: green lights and red lights.
2. Learning: It learns through forming new circuits and strengthening or weakening existing ones.
3. Selection: It selects whatever experience has taught it to value. They point out that even an earthworm can be trained to pick a particular path to avoid electric shock.
These functions operate at all levels of the nervous system and are involved in any important mental activity. Next week I’ll share more of the authors’ insights into the brain and how to use this information to facilitate healthier mental states and less stress.
source: news-press
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