This is the continuation of the blog post series by guest writer Lenore Hall. Read the first post here.
The SMART, or learning brain, enables us to make choices using our thinking instead of reacting impulsively to emotions. A region at the front of the brain, the ‘pre-frontal cortex,’ is called the command center or executive brain, directly connecting the cortex to the limbic midbrain and brainstem regions. Energy and information from the cortex, limbic area, brainstem, body and social world are coordinated and balanced by this prefrontal area, allowing us to make choices and future plans. This prefrontal region also maps our social world, making maps of oneself for insight as well as mapping what is going on inside other people’s nervous systems allowing for empathy and morality. Brain, body and social world are woven together into one whole by the master functions of the prefrontal cortex. We can cultivate the growth of the integrative fibers of our prefrontal cortex by positive interactions with others, with self-reflective practices and mindfulness.
Major development in neuronal connections in the frontal lobe of the cortex occur during infancy and throughout childhood. In adolescence, more dramatic linkage occurs across different neural regions with one another. In this way, the cortex has a highly integrative role in coordinating and balancing the brain, the nervous system and body as a whole. This enables such diverse abilities as cognitive control, emotional regulation, ‘gist’ thinking (sifting through all the details to find the core issues), self-understanding and social functioning all essential for mental/emotional health, for greater conceptual thinking and creativity.
The early research on neural plasticity (the ability of the brain to change) began by exploring the impact of different types of environments on brain development. These findings demonstrated that the brain becomes more complex, active and robust in response to an enriched environment that includes challenging educational and experiential opportunities. There is no doubt, the human brain grows in response to challenge and new learning. Mild to moderate stress activates neural growth hormones that support new learning. This stress is seen in the form of curiosity, enthusiasm and pleasure and also as we are motivated to relieve discomfort and distress.
