CHANGE IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN. Here’s Why
How people are manipulating brain chemistry for the good and how YOU can rewire your mind through new experiences today.
Research conducted at University of Amsterdam by Dr. Vanessa Van Ast published findings of the effect our external environment has on our memory.
Her research found that the brain is more willing to accept and adapt to new physical environments than it is ready to hold onto older memories in older environments. The movie theater thought experiment in her article clarified this concept.
In other words, our brain is wired to take in new information moreso than it is to hold onto familiarity. This ironically goes against how our lives are constructed; society pushes us to strive for familiarity in all aspects of life.
Is living familiarly, in the same context day in and day out, the more ‘natural’ way to go about life, according to our neurobiology? Or is it something different entirely, in speculation that the brain is readily eager to digest new environmental information, does our physicality actually yearn for change?
To explore these curiosities, consider how the brain composition changes when readily exposed to new environments on a consistent basis. In contrast, the nature of the brain when held in a stagnent, unchanging environment, such as holding the same job or routine for decades, or staying in the same physical environment for months on end *cough cough* how we all went crazy during the COVID lockdown.
I believe the way humans choose to live their lives always includes some inclination to strive towards happiness, and I wonder if the ‘classic’ model of life; going through school, finding a reliable job, settling down and having children, is going against our neurological programming?
If our brains are more willing and primed to process new environments, according to how our memories are stored, what does that mean for those who almost never experience new environments at all?
The physical experience of memory recall is a present experience of emotion.
Our bodies do not know the difference between experiencing something ‘real’ and experiencing a memory, because while one happens externally and one is simply an internal remembrance, both occur in the mind, where the body gets it’s information.
Oftentimes, when an emotional memory is potent, whether from trauma, bliss, surprise, or other intense emotional states, when we remember the experience fully, we feel our pulse increase, our bodies swell or our minds start to race. Anxiety is a far too well-known example of how thoughts and feelings can manifest into full blown physical experiences, unfortunately in a very negative and unpleasant way.
If new environments and experiences can override memories, I would be interested to look into targeting certain memories to override, and in doing so, discover ways to treat those who struggle with depression, anxiety and other mental disorders that center on the disturbance of their present life with the physical experience of past traumatic memories.
If there is any time to look into how brain chemistry can be manipulated for the good, the time is now.
Not only has technology and social media skyrocketed negative emotional patterns of insecurity, social anxiety and lonliness, in specifically the youthful demographic, the pandemic has surged the already rapidly accelerating rates.
We have just been shown the most obvious data point in pursuing the question about how a changing environment affects well being; The world health organization stated that the coronavirus pandemic triggered a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. The pandemic, especially the initial lockdown, was quite literally an experience where no one was able to change their environment, even if they wanted to, and it affected everyone negatively.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, however in the age group of 35–44, it is the 4th leading cause.
It seems that people are not only unable to cope with their external and internal environments, but also don’t have an appreciation for life at a baseline existance.
Consider the following: the brain is so willing to accept a new environment, so much so that it can override past memories. The greatest threat to the mental health of society has been the recent COVID lockdown, aka an extended period of time with no environmental change whatsoever.
There is a link here that favors environmental change. How deep does this connection go? What part of the brain, the mind, or the body does it affect most, and how can we harness this affect for the good?
The deeply negative effect on the population from a lack of environmental change due to the COVID lockdown must be pointing to a radical new way to approach lifestyle in general, in addition to create treatment plans for mental disorders and open up a new understanding and appreciation for life.
If shifting our perspective on how we adapt and accept new environments could potentially increase happiness, relieve traumatic memories and improve our brain function, or even one of the three, is that not worth exploring?
In a society that is so resistant against change, and so conditioned to seek comfort in consistency, I am ready to challenge the norm for the greater good, write and research inspiring ideas and help society head in a positive direction.
***
Alexandria
