I’ve been reading a great book called “The Body Keeps The Score” and it really gets into how the brain processes emotions. It’s fascinating how little I knew about the brain before reading this book and now I can’t read enough about it. One section is about how 2-3 year old brains learn how to be safe in groups that have different perceptions. How is it that when we become adults, it’s hard for people to spend time with others who think differently than them? Can we all go back to being 3 and re-learn how to feel safe with others who have different perceptions?
Another thing I found fascinating is the concept of neuroplasticity: the brain is formed in a use-dependent manner. “Neurons that fire together wire together.” When a circuit fires repeatedly, it becomes a default setting – the response “most likely to occur”. If you feel safe and loved, your brain becomes specialized in exploration, play and cooperation. If you feel frightened, it specializes in managing feelings.
It’s fascinating how it relates to the media and social media and how they have learned how to take hold of our limbic brains and are creating constant barrage of divisive language that creates the automatic feeling in the brain of anger and fear, which only serves the media more to keep our attention. It’s all so interesting and good to dive into! #brains #rewiring #attention #disrupther