Oftentimes people use the terms ‘mind’ and ‘brain’ interchangeably when talking about feelings, thoughts, emotions and mental illness. The brain and mind are separate entities but work so closely together some say the mind cannot exist without the brain. This is because there is one distinct difference between the two. The brain is a physical organ in the body and the mind consists of the conscious and subconscious products of the brain. It is important to understand each aspect separately but more importantly how to support both to improve mental health.
The Brain
The brain is a complex organ that is responsible for so much of our daily functioning. It is in control of our senses and directs our body in carrying out physical actions through muscles and other organs. We also use our brains to learn and remember information. There are so many different parts of the brain that research has shown are responsible for many of our functions, but it is so complex that researchers are still finding new information about how these different parts interact and what purpose they serve.
Although there is still much to learn about our brain, there is a lot of research regarding how the parts of our brain process emotions. There is a set of structures within the brain called the limbic system. The structures within this system are responsible for carrying information, activating other parts of the brain and producing or releasing hormones that impact how we react to certain situations and mood overall.
This system includes the hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, insula, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and anterior cingulate cortex.
The Limbic System
To put this into context, let’s discuss a few of the major players within the limbic system and their role in interpreting situations.
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a part of the brain that involves visual-spatial information. It stores information about events and long-term memories. It receives information from neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin and dopamine are a couple of the neurotransmitters correlated to depression. Specifically, a lack of serotonin and dopamine can contribute to symptoms of depression like low motivation, lack of interest in activities and feelings of helplessness. On the other hand, addiction is connected to rushes of dopamine because the brain and body crave the good feeling from dopamine.
To put this into context, the hippocampus plays a role in forming both pleasant and unpleasant memories. This could be the pleasant memory of the last time you saw a loved one or the unpleasant memory of someone who acted aggressive toward you when angry. Research suggests that cortisol, the hormone that is released when stressed, can cause damage to the hippocampus if it is released often in high amounts.
Amygdala
The amygdala is a small region of the brain that works pretty closely with the hippocampus. It serves a large role in processing things that we may perceive as threatening. When the amygdala determines something is a threat, it sounds the alarm and triggers other parts of the brain. It specifically alerts a part of the brain stem to send dopamine to the nucleus accumbens to wake up. The nucleus accumbens then sends more information to other parts of the brain that impact behaviors.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is part of the brain that involves regulating the body. When the amygdala processes a threat, the hypothalamus will signal the pituitary gland to release cortisol and other stress hormones through the adrenal system. This is what happens when an individual is getting ready to go into “fight-or-flight” mode. It is believed that in the past, this process was important to our ancestors when presented with an immediate threat such as a tiger jumping out of the bushes. In our modern life, this process can occur several times throughout the day. This chronic stress or release of cortisol can damage parts of the brain like the hippocampus. This can have an impact on how our brain interprets and directs the body to react in future situations.
The Mind
Some neuroscientists argue that while the mind is separate, it cannot exist without the brain. The mind is considered a product of the physical substance that is the brain. The mind comes into play during the biological processes happening in the brain. It provides context through consciousness, thoughts and concepts. As we process information with the physical processes of our brain and body, we also start to form thought patterns and constructs that make up part of our mind. These constructs are personal to each individual and help us understand how the world works through our eyes.
Psychologists believe that the mind has two parts: the subconscious or unconscious mind and the conscious mind. Research shows that your subconscious mind is running the show about 90% of the time, and that the conscious mind only is in control 10% of the time. The subconscious mind includes things like creativity, emotions, habits, imagination, beliefs and long-term memory. The conscious mind includes willpower, short-term memory, rationale and analytical thinking. It’s important that these two parts work together in harmony to collect, assess and process data from your experiences.
Improve Your Brain-Mind Connection
The mind and brain are consistently intertwined. It is important to support both the physical processes in your body and the contents of your mind. Try some of these strategies to strengthen the connection between your mind and brain:
- Mindfulness: Take time out of each day to pay attention to your thoughts without judgement. Mindfulness strengthens your ability to decrease distractions and maintain concentration on tasks. It’s also a great way to use your mind (thoughts) and brain together to send signals to your body that you are safe and calm.
- Challenge yourself: Try something new or challenge yourself to improve on something you know how to do. You could learn how to play an instrument or speak a new language. These are workouts for your brain that engages many different parts. Notice how your thoughts impact you while learning something new. When you experience negative thoughts like “I can’t do this,” challenge those thoughts with a more positive outlook and see how you improve.
Review information about the Mind-Body Connection
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At Calming Transformations Counseling, our therapists acknowledge the adjustment that military members and their families have to make after deployment. We also serve those with anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship issues, who may be religious. Sessions can be held through online therapy in the states of Florida, Idaho, South Carolina or Utah, or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Book an appointment or contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a more peaceful life.
