Our three brains - yes, you read that right, we have three brains. They are called the Reptilian Brain, Mammalian Brain, and NeoCortex.
Reptilian Brain (Unconscious Brain):
The Autonomic nervous system: Controls automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, hunger, fight-or-flight responses, and reproduction.
Focuses on keeping us alive through basic survival instincts.
Mammalian Brain (Mostly Subconscious Brain):
Emotions and Memory: Responsible for forming emotions and converting short-term memory into long-term memory.
Behavior Influence: Influences habits, emotional reactions, and certain behaviors.
NeoCortex (Mostly Conscious Brain):
Handles reasoning, decision-making, language, math, and coordinated voluntary movements.
Complex Problem-Solving: Involves advanced cognitive functions and problem-solving abilities.
These three brains play a role in how our body responds to stress. There are two primary main pathways on how our body responds to stress.
Sympathy Adrenal Medullary (SAM) Pathway:
The pathway that is triggered by immediate stress response, such as jumping at a loud noise.
Your sympathetic nervous system is stimulated and your organs start responding - slowing digestion, pupil change, heart rate changes.
Your adrenals release adrenaline and readies the body for fight or flight response.
Hypothalamus-Pituitary- Adrenal (HPA) Pathway:
The pathway that is triggered by chronic stress or stressors for an extended time (e.g. childhood trauma, death, high stress career).
The pathway that this follows is in the name from the hypothalamus to the pituitary, and to the adrenals with each pathway releasing a different type of hormone such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Prolonged release of cortisol causes a stress effect on the body leading to high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and or a weakened immune system.
Chronic stress causes various health issues such as: headaches, increased depression, heartburn, insomnia, high blood pressure, digestive concerns, sexual dysfunction, irregular cycles, and muscle tension.
What can you do to manage stress?
Sleep - Ensure you’re getting enough rest, a minimum of 7-9 hours of sleep. Reduce screen time before bed and right away in the morning.
Diet - Consuming a balanced diet with adequate protein intake and meals throughout the day.
Exercise - Engage in regular physical activity, simply walking 15 minutes after each meal gets you 45 minutes of physical activity a day.
Talk it out - Speak to a therapist who can provide an unbiased perspective on your concerns.
Mindfulness - Practice meditation or prayer.
How can Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) help? I am a big advocate for positive self talk and affirmations. They can be helpful, however if stress can create a disconnect between the brain and body the affirmations are useless. NET uses muscle testing and a step-by-step approach to identify and address the root cause of emotions and or stressors. When these stressors are cleared, it allows you to feel lighter and less burdened by stress. NET essentially allows your three brains to be on the same page and allows your brain and body to connect. Additionally, it can help with physical concerns by reducing inflammation markers for better healing.
For more information, check out these resources:
By understanding how our brain responds to stress and taking proactive steps to manage it, we can lead healthier, more balanced lives. If you’re interested in exploring effective methods to reduce stress, schedule an appointment today!
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