If you want to overcome distractions and have a better performing brain, it is important to understand some basics about how the brain works.
Basically, we have two brains.
These are literally two specific regions that are identified as the Primitive Brain and the Neo-cortex. The Primitive Brain is looks very much like what monkeys have. It includes the brain stem, cerebellum and several structures in the deep middle brain, close to the brain stem.
The primitive brain regulates autonomic functions like blood pressure and heart rate, and mitigates reflexive actions when we are threatened, such as crouching into a fetal position. Under extreme duress, it reduces blood flow to our hands and feet in order to provide more blood and nutrients to our organs. It priorities these to keep us alive.
The Neo-cortex is the puffy cloudlike structure that rests on top of the brain stem. It resembles a cauliflower plant; it includes the spongy coils near the outside of the brain. The Neo-cortex is uniquely human: no other animal on the planet has anything remotely like it in size or shape. Within this structure, the frontal lobe in particular stands out. This is where higher brain function occurs and it contains the areas that activate when we are enjoying a performance, reading an engaging book, planning our week, setting goals, or tapping into the power of our inner CEO.
When everything is working correctly, the two brains work together in sync, like the push pull dynamic of the yin and yang symbol with synergistic balance between effort and rest; awake and asleep. Both are necessary for a balanced life, but when one is too strong, it can overpower the other and limit our performance.
Our yin-yang brain should exist in homeostasis, but when one brain region becomes too active, the design of our brain dictates that the other area must become less active. Literally more blood flow will be redirected from the less active area to the more active area. Both regions cannot be simultaneously highly activated.
Typically, it is the Primitive brain that becomes more active. This is because our brain prioritizes staying alive over high performance. As a result, our Primitive brain is very powerful and “too good” at hijacking the Neo-Cortex in favor of survival. Without role models and training from parents or teachers to calm the mighty Primitive brain, we will have work hard to overcome it's inertia.
Another dynamic that occurs in the brain’s switch from Neo-Cortex to Primitive Brain is a shift in our nervous system, rerouting power from Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS - the rest and digest system) to the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS - fight-flight survival mode). Like our brain, both systems, Parasympathetic and Sympathetic, cannot be highly active at the same time.
Why is our Primitive Brain more active? Today, we tend to be under a constant threat. While we may not have to worry about scary things that threatened our ancestors, such has being hunted by a wild animal, life has a vast number of other complex stressors: challenges at work, injuries, pain, depression, anxiety, health, financial insecurity, and relationship problems.
Adding insult to injury, most of us have practically no training to mitigate stress in our lives. There were no classes in high school or required courses in college that addressed this topic. Consequently, many of us struggle because we have no tools for calming the Primitive Brain and giving power back to the Neo-Cortex. In fact, some of us have been so stuck in our Primitive Brain so long, we don’t have any idea what healthy brain function feels like; we have no recollection life with the Neo-cortex in charge.
If you struggle with an overactive Primitive Cortex, get in touch with MP3. We have tools to help you engage your Central Executive Network (CEN), calm your Primitive Cortex, and start performing better at work and life. Our offerings include one-on-one coaching sessions, discussion groups, and more. Contact us today at info@mp3-theratrain.com.
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