The expectation of harm Anxiety is the expectation of harm- not a conscious expectation but the flow of electricity into an old circuit that prepares it for action. We can relieve anxiety by learning to re-route that flow into a new circuit. Expectations are the core...
Labelling unwanted behavior as a disorder has advantages and disadvantages. The obvious disadvantage is that it focuses on the problem rather than the solution. This violates the core premise of the positive world view: to focus on the behavior you want rather than...
Neuroplasticity drops after puberty. We can add new leaves to our neural trees after that, but new branches are rare. That’s why we often find ourselves using neural pathways built in youth despite our best intentions. We don’t consciously rely on old pathways, and...
Defending yourself is a natural survival tool, but too much defensiveness can wear you out. This drain on your energy is easier to manage when you know how your brain produces it. We are designed to scan continuously for potential threat, but our brain defines threat...
Altruism feels good, but a deeper knowledge of the good feeling reveals a core of selfishness. There’s nothing wrong with selfish pleasure in good deeds, but like all pleasures, we’re drawn to seek more of it. You can become so dependent on the good feeling you get...
Winter Blues vs Winter Excitement: It’s a Dopamine Thing The excitement that makes life feel good is caused by the brain chemical “dopamine.” Your brain releases dopamine when you approach a reward. December is full of dopamine-stimulating activities, but in January,...