“Neurology is the key to profound and sustainable change.”
The brain in the face of challenge ...
Animals in the Wild
A while ago, some bright mind posed the question 'Why don't animals in the wild need to have a stiff drink, a chiropractic adjustment, therapy or a Hawaiian vacation to get them through? What do they do that humans don't?'
Upon observation, it was noticed that animals, once making it through a threatening situation, would shake as though they were fighting or running away. They would then get up and go on their way as though nothing had happened.
This design has widespread applications for human health but firstly a little Brain 101.
The Three Brains
The brain is divided into three parts. The big brain on top is the 'cortex' where we do our conscious learning along with co-ordinating many other functions such as speech, written expression, sleeping and making appropriate social choices. This brain is what makes us human.
Underneath the cortex is the 'limbic system' or 'emotional brain'. This is where our emotions are coded and survival patterns, such as fight and flight, are organized.
At the bottom is the 'brain stem' or 'reptilian brain' where basic body functions such as breathing and heart rate are regulated.
Activation
When life throws us a challenge we begin by responding just like animals. Our limbic system makes a choice about what to do - fighting back, running away or being still, akin to an animal playing dead. These responses are called fight, flight and freeze. They lead to a cascade of powerful chemical and neurological reactions known as 'activation'.
Unlike animals, after we become activated, we often inhibit the bodies' natural ability to discharge activation and return to a healthy baseline. For example:
- It's not acceptable to take a swing at a co-worker when they're ignoring your requests, even though you may feel like it. (Inhibited fight.)
- There's no escaping a vehicle coming towards you at high speed. (Inhibited flight.)
- A child shuts down in the face of a violent parent. (Inhibited fight and flight leading to freeze.)
As a result the activation goes underground filling the nervous system cup, so to speak, and creating brain wave imbalances throughout the brain. This leads to compromised physical and emotional health, unhappy relationships, a disconnect with our desires and passions, and an inability to succeed.
The brain has the answers ...
Using Self Regulation Therapy and Neuropathways Brain Training we can:
Empty the Cup
To empty the nervous system of activation (emptying the cup) a process called discharge is required. Discharge is typically physical in nature with twitching, heat or tingling sensations in the body and sometimes yawning. Discharge occurs by bringing awareness to what is supportive and feels good, in imagination and as body sensation. This allows the nervous system to move towards calm and relaxation. By then bringing awareness to the areas of concern, briefly so that safety is maintained, we enable the brain's innate capacity to resolve or discharge activation. The nice thing is, we don't even have to know what the discharge is related to.
Create New Neural Pathways
In addition, the brain is assisted to incorporate new, more supportive neural pathways. Often, through experiencing difficulties as a fetus, infant or child, there are missing templates or gaps in brain function that compromise our ability to live fully. Perhaps you have no sense of safety, making everyday experiences a challenge, and satisfying relationship nearly impossible. Or perhaps your body is falling apart from the strain of being 'on' all the time as there is no ability to slow down.
Filling in the gaps is easier than you might expect. Once again, imagination is used, or talking about some part of your life where things were working. As attention is placed on the existence of what has been missing, a physiological response (body sensation) occurs. By placing awareness on this sensation in the body, new brain pathways are created that are about having what was missing. As the structure becomes laid down in the brain, it becomes available to you in everyday life.
Provide Regulation
Regulation is a pretty meaningless word with a really spectacular impact on your wellbeing. So let me explain.
Without regulation, the brain becomes activated and continues along the path of activation. Perhaps you're having a fight with your spouse and it continues to escalate even though you know inside that it's getting ridiculous or you wish you could behave differently.
With regulation, the brain becomes activated and then, all by itself without you having to think about it, moves you back towards calm.
In the example of the fight, you might start to get caught up in the fight, and then suddenly find yourself offering kind words or gently suggesting that it might be better to talk later when you both feel better.
Bring Balance
By viewing a computer screen that shows brain waves in real time, the brain has a chance to see itself as though looking in a mirror. As the brain naturally desires stability and balance it instinctively will make corrections based on what it is seeing. As an example, with a freeze pattern there will be a dominance of the 'delta' wave. As this wave is inhibited, more energy (measured in micro-volts) becomes available for the 'I can' wave called mid-beta.
From Survive to Thrive
By emptying the cup, filling in gaps, providing regulation and balance, the brain discovers that it no longer needs to be stuck in survival patterns. True possibility can now begin.