The human brain is a complex organ that is responsible for regulating our emotions and behaviors. It is composed of various interconnected regions, each with its unique functions. One such region is the amygdala, which is responsible for processing emotions such as fear, anger, and pleasure. The medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), on the other hand, is responsible for regulating our thoughts and actions, including decision-making, planning, and self-control.
While these two regions have different functions, they are structurally and functionally connected through frontal connections. When the amygdala is activated, the MPFC is deactivated, and when the amygdala stabilizes, the MPFC is activated and rises up. This connection plays a crucial role in regulating our emotions and behaviors, especially when it comes to controlling negative emotions.
Controlling Negative Emotions
Negative emotions such as anger, fear, and anxiety can be overwhelming and difficult to control. However, it is possible to regulate these emotions by starting with stabilizing the amygdala. This can be achieved through various techniques, including self-affirmation and affirmation of others.
Self-affirmation involves reminding oneself of one's positive qualities and abilities. This technique helps to boost self-esteem and confidence, which can help to reduce anxiety and stress. Affirmation of others, on the other hand, involves expressing appreciation and gratitude for others, which can help to improve one's mood and promote positive feelings.
Other techniques that can help to stabilize the amygdala include forgiveness, compassion, love, acceptance, gratitude, and respect. These practices promote positive emotions and can help to reduce negative feelings such as anger, fear, and anxiety.
The Role of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)
In addition to stabilizing the amygdala, it is also essential to activate the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to control negative emotions. The ACC is responsible for processing information related to emotions and social behavior. It is also involved in regulating the body's response to stress and anxiety.
When the amygdala is activated, negative emotions such as anger and fear are also activated. However, when the ACC is activated, the conscious area is activated, and we feel directly. The amygdala cannot feel, but in the case of a threat, it alerts the entire body. In this case, the brain acts rationally to alert the whole body in a crisis and sends energy to the muscles to fight or run away.
The Body's Response to a Crisis
When the amygdala is activated, it first blocks less urgent but important functions and sends energy to the muscles. Normally, the energy in our body is primarily directed to the digestive system, which uses 30% of the energy we consume. Therefore, during a crisis, the digestive function is blocked, and the energy is directed to the muscles instead.
The immune function also requires a lot of energy, so during a crisis, the immune function is also blocked. This is because the body needs to focus all its energy on fighting or fleeing the threat. This is why people may experience digestive problems or a weakened immune system during times of stress or anxiety.