So, for the purpose of this blog, and to make sure I don’t bore you in the first paragraph let’s talk about the brain having two parts – the intellectual part and the primitive part. If I’m honest this is doing the brain a complete disservice, but hey ho.
Let’s start with the intellectual part – this is the bit that we know as you. The part that I’m most interested in is the pre-frontal cortex (PFC). The PFC intelligently regulates our thoughts, actions and emotions through extensive connections with other brain regions. The best way I can describe it is that it creates a “mental sketch pad” (to use a phrase coined by Alan Baddeley) through networks of neurons that can maintain information in the absence of environmental stimulation.
Neuroscientists such as Patricia Goldman-Rakic refer to this process as working memory: the ability to keep in mind an event that has just occurred, or recall information from long-term storage, and use this representational knowledge to regulate behaviour, thought and emotion. The reason that it’s able to regulate your behaviour is because it’s rational, logical and solution focused. It assesses the situation that you find yourself in and then comes up with solutions, and the best part, it’s usually positive.
It’s attached to the Cerebral Cortex, a vast intellectual resource library, like a computer database (again, a massive disservice) and this is the subconscious part of the intellectual mind. The cerebral cortex is like the brain’s supercomputer. It’s the outermost layer of the brain, about the thickness of a piece of paper, and it’s packed with billions of neurons. This area is divided into four main regions, or lobes, each with its own specific roles. The frontal lobe is in charge of decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling your movements. The parietal lobe processes sensory information, like touch, temperature, and pain. The occipital lobe is all about vision, helping you to interpret what you see, while the temporal lobe handles hearing, memory, and understanding language. Together, these regions help you think, plan, create, and interact with the world, making the cerebral cortex essential for everything from basic activities to complex cognitive functions.
Then we have the primitive brain. Now depending on what you’ve read before, you may have heard of this referred to as the monkey mind, or the lizard brain. Basically, it’s the oldest part of the brain and is the same part that the “Caveman” version of us had. It’s part of the limbic system and runs all the autonomic processes in the body; your heart is beating, you are breathing etc. It’s the emotional part and its priority is our safety and survival. The central and most influential bit of the primitive mind is the amygdala. You may have heard about it. It is the Fight/Flight/Freeze area of the brain. It works closely with two other very primitive parts. There is the hippocampus, which holds all our primitive and sometimes inappropriate learned habits and behaviours. Also, the hypothalamus, which regulates chemical responses in the body and mind.
So how does it work?
Well, imagine the brain as a high-tech security system for a large and complex building. The amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus all work together to ensure the safety and functionality of the building.
Amygdala (Alarm System): The amygdala acts like a sensitive alarm system. It constantly scans the environment for potential threats. When it detects something that might be dangerous, it triggers an immediate alert. This is like the alarm going off when someone tries to break in, prompting a swift and urgent response.
Hippocampus (Security Database): The hippocampus functions as the security database. It stores detailed records of past events, particularly those related to safety and danger. When the amygdala’s alarm goes off, the hippocampus checks its records to see if the current situation resembles any previous incidents. This helps in determining whether the threat is genuine and how to respond based on past experiences.
Hypothalamus (Response Coordinator): The hypothalamus acts as the response coordinator. Once the amygdala triggers the alarm and the hippocampus provides context, the hypothalamus organises the body’s response. It controls the release of stress hormones, regulates body temperature, and manages other physiological reactions to ensure that the building’s inhabitants are prepared to deal with the threat, whether that means fighting off an intruder or fleeing to safety.
So how does this relate to your behaviour?
When a primitive mind takes control, it can become a significant problem because this part of the brain is primarily driven by instinctual responses such as fear, aggression, and the fight-or-flight reaction. This can lead to chronic stress and anxiety as you constantly perceive threats and dangers, even when you’re perfectly safe. The primitive mind’s focus on survival means it often overrides rational thought and problem-solving abilities, causing an exaggerated emotional response to everyday challenges. This heightened state of alertness and tension can prevent relaxation, disrupt sleep, and impair overall mental health, trapping the person in a cycle of anxiety and stress.
