Our brain - probably the most sensational thing we have to offer! How does it work ?
Hope you have been able to check out the previous blogs on the subject. If not, here you are:
TOX1 (Introduction) TOX2 (Stress) TOX3 (Brain)
One often hears the explanation that this predisposition already exists in my family. The good news: we are not a puppet of biology! Even when we are full of toxic memories and live in such an environment, our brain can actually be changed. An incredible feat that has been dubbed 'neuroplasticity'.
They say we can change our toxic thoughts in 4 days and replace them with new ones in 3 weeks!
Thoughts can be measured, they need space, they change, grow, enlarge or shrink, and they adapt. The result is that you are represented by your thoughts! Toxic thoughts make us toxic too. Good thoughts have positive effects.
Positive and negative thoughts go through the same processes in the brain. Only the chemical substances change their structure accordingly.
Anyone who has learned to see the good and to choose it will be able to benefit from it well into old age.
If we want to detoxify our thought life, then we have to send a toxic thought through a set sequence again.
What does this order look like?
1. The brain collects electrical impulses
These impulses are collected through our five senses in order to find out their meaning. At the beginning of a thought it is possible to decide between good and bad impulses. Do I accept the thought or do I reject it!
First, a thought reaches the thalamus (transmitter control center), where most of the cerebral nerves meet. It connects the brain to the body and the body to the brain.
The thought goes from the thalamus to the cerebral cortex (outer part), where it is connected with already existing thoughts. This activates our inner attitude towards thoughts. This will influence our decision. If the memory is positive, then pleasant feelings are produced.
This process is recognized by the thalamus and then passed on to the hypothalamus, the chemical plant. If it is a negative thought, then the appropriate chemicals are now being prepared. The hypothalamus is considered to be the 'brain' of the endocrine system. He controls, among other things. our thirst, hunger, body temperature and our reaction to feelings. On a worry-laden attitude, stress hormones are sent to the main gland (pituitary gland), which warns the trillion cells in our body of a threat. The body adjusts to protection. This inhibits important further developing thoughts. But once we have made the habit of not worrying, the hypothalamus will produce feelings of peace.
Whatever you say about the functionality of our brain, it is always a simplification. It is extremely complex and always full of surprises.
What can we do at this stage?
We can choose to reject or allow the current thoughts and incoming information. In the latter case, they will sink into our mind and subconscious and form the basis of who we are as a person.
The amygdala (our joy and fear center) and the hippocampus (responsible for memory and motivation) help us make good decisions. The amygdala is the driver that wants to protect us from threats. The thalamus will warn you if necessary. In the end she gives the OK or NOK.
The amygdala also has connections to the frontal lobe, which controls our reasoning and decisions, and our analyzing and planning. This gives our developed reason the chance to have a say.
At this moment there is an opportunity to say:
"I choose NOT to think about this thing anymore."
This sends the thoughts away, or they simply disappear.
Perhaps we tend to think that there are many ways to be happy. There are certainly some that are faster and shorter, but more intense!
But if we don't stop thinking about it - be it positive or negative thoughts - then all information flows to the seahorse, the hippocampus. This calculates the incoming thoughts: Are they of short or long-term importance? The latter are then often processed during sleep. Such information then reaches the long-term memory, where it is stored as matter.
2. Reflecting on thoughts
Thanks to neuroscience, we now know that we don't have to allow any thought to control us!
The information remains in the hippocampus for about 24-48 hours and is continuously processed there. The basal forebrain is also included. Change now means that the thought is either retained, reinforced, or parts or the whole thought are adapted. It is NOT possible for parts to sink back into the subconscious without having been changed. This shows our potential, but also our responsibility.
The stronger we think, the more change we can bring about.
When we say: 'I can't do that!' then that supports our inability.
When we say: "I can do that!" then the whole body aligns itself with it.
We can do a lot more than we think. Where there is a will, there is a way. Amazing, isn't it?
Neuroplasticity means that through our thinking, important neurotransmitters (chemical messenger substances that transmit electrical impulses) - especially serotonin - cause changes deep inside the cell and thus also the genes (epigenetics says hello).
Research shows that mental training in terms of imagination, visualization, deep thinking and reflection, triggers the same physical change in the brain as if one had actually carried out these imagined processes in practice.
The resulting thoughts are consolidated, stabilized and accessible at any time. Nothing stands in the way of a high level of competence. This can apply in both the positive and negative directions with corresponding consequences.
Repetition and training are necessary in order for protein synthesis to consolidate, stabilize and participate in us.
There are actually people who like to exercise. Put something in your head and achieve it! How are you doing?
3. Write down thoughts
As you have probably already experienced yourself, the process of writing down consolidates memory and clarity and helps you think about it further. The visualization of thoughts and feelings promotes these processes.
The basal ganglia - nerve associations that correlate with the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and the frontal lobe - have the important task of transforming thoughts and emotions into immediate action in thinking and LEARNING. So they help us write down the information we just understood.
The way we write them down is important.
Everyone is encouraged to create a thought journal with creative expression. Creative can mean: drawing free of straight lines, pictures or diagrams, allowing colors and structures to flow in. Create a MINDMAP, so to speak, where associative thoughts can be linked.
Creating a mind map is fun and helps to achieve transparency. This will make it easier to find out where the dog is buried.
The left hemisphere is specialized in getting from the detail to the long shot, whereas the right hemisphere leads to the detail via the overall picture. Interesting.
4. Rethink thoughts
Thoughts can be transformed more easily the more consciously they are perceived.
Every time we ponder a thought and we control it with our minds, we can influence it as well. So it is in our power of free will whether we want to create new circuits and initiate a detoxification process.
What we think and feel about ourselves, what about our partner, our parents, friends and neighbors can all be examined and redefined.
We usually cannot control our circumstances, but we can determine how we react to them.
5. Implement thoughts
This last step quickly shows whether the previous steps were carried out correctly. This is because the practical steps are carried out according to the thought. Application steps. With these steps we have built a secure foundation for change, health and quality of life.
This overcoming step helps to recognize whether something is true or not. It shows whether theory and practice match. In doing so, it promotes integrity and makes us strong.
This lady is apparently looking forward to learning something new, practicing it and putting it into practice. Let's get infected!
he epigenetics shows, our perception shapes our biology. Our thoughts are powerful, they shape us. As Solomon said, as we think, so are we (Proverbs 23: 7).
3 activities that promote the healing process
Time of silence:
Studies show that people who pray and read the Bible every day are more likely to have positive thoughts. Spending time in nature also encourages good thoughts.
Nutrition:
Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and B vitamins lift our mood. They stabilize the blood sugar level and improve the functioning of neurotransmitters and nerves. Since the brain consists of up to 85% water, it consumes accordingly, which invites us to 'refill'. (at least 1.5 liters of water / day)
Move:
Physical exercise releases beta-endorphins, which create a sense of well-being in us and dispel tension and stress. It trains the will and promotes blood circulation with all the resulting benefits.
In summary
t can be said that the amygdala gives input and informs the mind (frontal lobe) about the emotions (roughly in a ratio of 9: 1, ie 9 times more often than it receives information from the frontal lobe). The thalamus and hypothalamus provide input regarding motivation. The memory networks provide information about memories that have already been stored. The central switching point mixes and combines everything. The heart also gets involved and supports the decision-making processes.
Theological Aspects
If the Bible says:
We are to put all our worries on Jesus (1 Pet 5: 7)
We are to control every thought (2 Cor. 10: 5)
We are to renew our senses (Rom 12: 2)
We should always be happy (Phil 4: 4)
We are to use the weapons of God, because with them all fortresses of the opponent can be overcome (2 Cor 10: 4-5)
We should look to HIM so that HIM influences our thoughts (2 Cor 3:18)
then it looks like that our Creator knows exactly how important all this is and that, as soon as we follow it, we live in a 'different', better world. Isn't that sensational!
And what I particularly like is that HE does not leave us alone in our endeavors, but supports us in a highly active manner, the more we get involved with HIM.
He would like to be our 'fixed star' who shows us the direction in every situation in life.
Faith, as defined in Hebrews 11:1, takes on a new depth when one knows that just thinking deeply about an action can equal the actual action. The same parts of the brain are addressed.
It is entirely the idea of the Christian faith that through this we learn to become masters of circumstances and so that our quality of life is high. If we already have the offer that our Creator wants to help us in everyday life and wants to see us happy and also provides everything we need, then__
__We can literally tear down toxic thought structures by deciding to make ourselves fully aware of the thought, to change it through repentance and forgiveness (protein synthesis) and to replace it with correct information according to Phil 4:8 or similar principles!
There are no harmless thoughts. Therefore we must be good stewards of our thoughts and emotions!
This is followed by two blogs where we will deal with the 10 typically toxic topics that challenge us every day.
PS. Reference book: Bible and "Who turned my brain off" by Dr. Caroline Leaf
