Excerpts taken from Dr. David Perlmutter, MD ‘s Disconnection Syndrome .
“We walk around with our heads down, fixated on our devices, avoiding ideas that differ from our own, while confronting constant messages telling us what to do (eat more, buy more, post more, be ‘liked’ more).”
They go on to say,
“Participating in our modern consumerist existence is physically changing our brains. How, exactly? It is cutting off access to the highly evolved part of the brain that lets us see the big picture and make well-thought-out decisions. Simultaneously, it is strengthening the pathways that make us impulsive, anxious, fearful, and constantly craving a quick fix.”
There are two brain areas, the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, that must be in balance if we are to function well in our lives.
The large prefrontal cortex, sitting just inside the front of our skulls, is the most recently evolved part of the brain. The doctors say, “It is credited with higher-order brain functions such as:
- Our ability to plan for the future.
- Express empathy.
- See things from the point of view of another.
- Make thoughtful decisions.
- Engage in positive social behavior.
Basically, all the things that make us human.
“The amygdala is the control center of the threat-response and threat-interpretation system. It modulates our memories of threatening events, real or perceived. The amygdala helps record real or perceived threats as well as other emotion-filled experiences so that we can recognize similar events in the future.”
The amygdala is part of the older brain, or Limbic brain. It’s part of our mammalian heritage and reacts instantly to keep us alive at times of danger. But problems occur when the amygdala operates without the guidance of our prefrontal cortex, as too often happens in our modern world. “But here’s the important lesson,” the doctors note. “The circuit in the amygdala can be hacked or altered even in an otherwise healthy brain. And when its tinkered with, big problems ensue.”
Our brains are literally being rewired in ways that are not in our best interests. “This rewiring leads us to spend our time and money on things that do not bring us long-term happiness,” say the doctors. “It leaves us constantly unsatisfied. And that’s exactly where corporate interests want us to be because it leads to higher profits.”
The disconnection syndrome, they say, leads us to mindless activity, loneliness, chronic inflammation, instant gratification, narcissism, poor relationships, chronic stress, impulsivity, and anxiety. It can also contribute to panic when we’re addressing a problem frightening as a world-wide pandemic.
*Do read the Disclaimer