My relationship with “head-brain” has been steady and long-lasting. I don’t know when it started but I remember when I was in elementary school, I decided to become a doctor by the time I was eleven. Soon after, I purchased the anatomy textbook used in medical school and thought that by the end of the reading, I would be equipped with the necessary knowledge on the road to stardom. Of course, I was wrong, but my youthful overconfident self didn’t know better. I recall a time when my imagination was overflowing with grandiose ideas, such as finding a cure for cancer, or in some other way corresponding to inventions by Louis Paster, Alexander Fleming, Edward Jenner, or other famous doctors. Now, when I think about these unrealistic and unfounded goals, I can't help but smile with sympathy and understanding. The naivety of a twelve or thirteen-old boy was coming from the right place, from the “heart-brain” where a desire to help others lies fueled by love and compassion energy.
The "second brain"
Here, I need to stop and clarify. Did you know that we have three brains? If you say no, I'm not going to use it against you, because I didn't know that until recently either. Sure, the existence of the brain inside the skull is something everyone is familiar with, but I didn’t learn about the “second brain” until I stumbled across the book with the same title in the science library of Brown university 22 years ago. * I became so intrigued that I immediately began to read it. I learned that we have an independently functioning brain in our intestine, scientifically labeled as the enteric nervous system (ENS), consisting of more than 500 million nerve cells lining the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum. In particular, I was interested in the fact that ENS produces over 30 neurotransmitters (chemical messengers), most of which are identical to the ones found in the skull brain, such as acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. It is astonishing that 90% of the body's serotonin lies in the gut, as well as about 50% of the body's dopamine. There is a bidirectional information highway between the skull brain and ENS primarily consisting of the vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in our body. It is well established that 90% of the neurons in the vagus nerve are actually carrying information from the intestine to the skull brain, not the other way around. This means that the condition of our gastrointestinal system, which also involves microbes that live there, affects the functioning of the cranial brain and influences our decisions, mood, and general well-being.
The vagus nerve, the wanderer, has a variety of functions in our body because of the distribution in most organs and the connections it has with the “head brain.” Its stimulation has been used to treat multiple medical conditions including treatment of depression resistant to medication and other therapies. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy consists of repetitive electrical stimulation applied to the vagus nerve in the left cervical region by a surgically implanted device that looks similar to a cardiac pacemaker. It is an effective treatment approved by the FDA in 2005. Because of invasive surgery with potential complications, it has not been used as much as it merits. This may soon be changed due to a device that stimulates the vagus nerve externally, at the point where it’s most easily accessible: the ear. ** This non-invasive, safe and low-cost method of treatment can significantly reduce the severity of depression in patients.
The “third brain”
Let’s now turn our attention to the “third brain.” For the first time, I heard that our heart is not just a muscle that pumps blood but also has an independent nervous system when I attended the conference in Sedona four years ago. One of the speakers talked about HeartMath Institute, a non-profit research-based organization founded 31 years ago with the mission to “develop reliable, scientifically based tools that bridge the connection between heart and mind and deepen people’s connection with the hearts of others.” *** On their website, they cited the work of Dr. Andrew Armour of the UCLA Neurocardiology Research Center who discovered a sophisticated collection of neurons in the heart that are organized into a small, independent, and complex nervous system containing around 40,000 neurons. **** This intrinsic heart brain is essential for maintaining cardiovascular stability and efficiency and without it, the heart couldn’t function correctly. Messages from it move to the many subcortical and cortical areas of the cerebral brain far more than the other way around. In addition, the heart also communicates with the brain and body biochemically. The heart secretes a number of hormones and neurotransmitters. The main one is the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) which plays an important role in the fluid and electrolyte balance in many body organs, inhibits the release of stress hormones, reduces sympathetic arousal, and may even influence motivation and behavior. More recently, it was discovered that the heart also produces oxytocin, a love and social bonding hormone.
Researchers from HearthMath Institute have examined the influence of emotions on heart rate variability/heart rhythms, which reflects heart-brain interactions and autonomic nervous system dynamics. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of the normally occurring beat-to-beat changes in heart rate, which reflects self-regulatory capacity, adaptability, and resilience. HRV is a useful indicator of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Its dysregulation has been found in many clinical conditions. It has been demonstrated that stress and emotional states have a significant impact on ANS balance. Our health is dependent on the establishment of a coordinated and balanced function between the heart and head brains. It is called the state of coherence or dynamic synchronization. The coherent state was correlated with an overall feeling of well-being and improvements in cognitive, social, and physical performance. The coherent rhythm of the heart is set when we experience and sustain positive emotions of love, appreciation, and care. The incoherent heart-rhythm pattern is encountered in the states of frustration, irritation, anxiety, worry, and grief.
Soul Journey
I recently experienced the power of the dysregulated activity of the second and third brains. Following my mother's death, I developed inexplicable abdominal pain that was difficult to locate. At first, I thought I got shingles with no rash. My doctor was convinced that it was a kidney stone, but she requested a complete blood test and abdominal CT. Test results were normal. Then I went to a four-day Soul Journey conference where I experienced the uplifting positive energy from the speakers and attendees. Furthermore, I took part in several meditations, visualizations, and other healing practices. My abdominal pain subsided and vanished by the end of the conference. Shortly afterwards, I began to experience severe chest pain radiating in my left arm. I was worried I was going to have a heart attack but by now I was a little more inclined to think that this could be a psychosomatic manifestation of mourning. So I waited. The chest pain continued and at some point, I was getting ready to go to the E.R. Instead, I performed a maneuver I learned at the conference that activated the parasympathetic nervous system and increased coherence between the heart and brain. It worked, and I didn’t experience chest pain for 2 days. My last breakthrough came after that respite when I felt chest pain again. I repeated the maneuver but this time I decided to go further and ask for help from my Higher Self (spiritual guidance). I got it in the form of the intuitive insight that my mother was my heart.She provided me with love as her greatest gift. With her passing, I needed to open my heart to love, compassion, and care. Since that realization (about 2 months ago), I have had neither abdominal nor chest pain.
The “first brain”
Now, after this excursion below the neck, let’s climb back to the head. I will continue to write about the cerebral brain. In my essay, The Brain and the number three ***** I wrote about the triune theory of the brain, presented by Paul D. MacLean following 30 years of research in comparative neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and evolutionary theory. He proposed that an evolutionary-designed brain consists of three parts, so-called reptilian, paleomammalian, and neomammalian brains. Each part processes information in a distinctive manner and has separate agenda. The “lizard brain” is our instinctive brain responsible for arousal, homeostasis, safety, and reproduction. It promotes behavior necessary for individual survival. The “limbic brain” is involved with learning, memory, and emotion. It relies on emotional memories as a way of navigating between rewards (“carrots”) and punishments (“sticks”). The “human brain” is the most sophisticated brain, the neocortex, responsible for conscious thought, planning, problem-solving, refined analysis of information, and inhibition of the lower parts of the brain. It supports navigation in the complex world of human relations. MacLean’s theory has been very popular because it combines comparative and neuroevolutionary approaches to understanding the origins, maintenance, and functions of various human behaviors.
The triune brain theory applied
One of the proponents of the triune brain theory is neuropsychologist Rick Hanson, who in his book Buddha’s Brain ****** relates it to three motivational systems (avoid, approach, and attach) relevant to the state of wellness, distress, or illness. He asserts that when we are not threatened, ill, in pain, hungry, upset, or chemically disturbed, the avoid system (“lizard brain”) is calm and we experience strength, safety, and peace. The approach system (“limbic brain”) is contented, and we experience a state of gratefulness, fulfillment, and satisfaction. The attach system (‘human brain”) is caring and we experience being loved and loving, closeness, bonding, friendship, and belonging. Hanson labels this state as a natural, responsive mode and a home base of the brain.
In contrast, under stress brain switches into reactive mode, powerful in rapidity, intensity, and inflexibility. When we feel threatened or harmed the avoid system gets activated. Incoming information is processed by the amygdala and primed to go negative into anxious combativeness triggering a cascade of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and stress hormone reactions, hijacking other parts of the brain, and reacting with snap judgments expressed in the saying, “Jump first, ask questions later!” If the avoid system becomes dysfunctional it can lead to anxiety disorders (characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, or avoidance), PTSD (with a history of life-threatening trauma, and excessive sympathetic arousal when re-experiencing of trauma memories is triggered), impulsive violence (characterized by the excessive fight behavior) and depression (with learned helplessness paradigm).
When we can’t attain important goals the approach system gets activated which leads to feelings of scarcity, loss, greed, longing, frustration, and disappointment. The approach system uses a so-called reward circuit in the brain that operates under the influence of the neurotransmitter dopamine. If this system becomes dysfunctional it can result in addiction, compulsion, or hoarding.
Finally, when we feel isolated, disconnected, unseen, unappreciated, or unloved, the attach system gets activated and we experience feelings of loneliness, heartbreak, envy, jealousy, or shame. We cling, reproach, or seek approval. If the whole system becomes dysfunctional it can lead to severe disruption in human relationships due to a lack of safety and trust in others, dysregulated negative mood states, or because of a deficit in self-soothing capacity.
Healing of the triune brain
How do we heal the triune brain and come back to the home base? An unmet need for safety—indicated by anxiety, anger, or helplessness—is best addressed by activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and calming the SNS. Hanson wants us to learn to “pet the lizard.” A state of peace is achieved by rubbing the lips (it is known that lips are connected to parasympathetic fibers, which are stimulated when we touch them), and deep abdominal breathing with occasionally holding the breath for up to 20 seconds. When we are feeling stressed, visualization exercises are useful. We picture ourselves in calming places imagining the sights, sounds, sensations, smells, and tastes we would experience there. Progressive muscle relaxation and meditation are other effective strategies to achieve calm.
An unmet need for satisfaction—indicated by frustration, disappointment, loss, failure, or the dreariness of life—could be addressed through activating and installing rewarding experiences of goal attainment, accomplishment, gladness, gratitude, pleasure, and success. This time we need to learn to “feed the mouse” through the process of behavioral activation. A state of gratitude is achieved through gratitude prayer, spending time in nature, exercising, and being engaged in pleasurable activities, such as hobbies, projects, and focusing the mind on things we are grateful for, or are glad about.
An unmet need for inclusion—indicated by feelings of inadequacy, shame, rejection, and unlovability—is best addressed by kindness, connection with others, and intimacy expressed in the action “hug the monkey.” A state of love is achieved through the practice of lovingkindness meditation for oneself, people we love or are friends with, difficult people, and the whole world. Hanson teaches us to feed the wolf of love in our hearts by gradually extending out the sense of “us” to include everyone. Also, actively build a community by joining a special interest group, coming to local events and offers, attending conferences, retreats or seminars, and making a list of people we know and reaching out to them.
Happy ending
With the information discussed above, I think we are now prepared to unite our three brains with coherent energy that seamlessly flows through our bodies. In this spirit, we can assert with confidence that our “gut feeling” is accounted for. Our hearts are beating strongly with high heart-rate variability making us well regulated and resilient. This energetic state supported by our healing practices will lead us into a state of peace, gratefulness, and loving-kindness. We are ready to come back home to our natural, responsive mode of existence. Let it be this way.
* The Second Brain: The Scientific Basis of Gut Instinct and a Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines, by Michael Gershon, HarperCollins, 1998
** Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulators: a review of past, present, and future devices, Lei Wang et al., Expert Rev Med Devices, 2022 Jan;19(1):43-61
**** The little brain on the heart, J. Andrew Armour, Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, Volume 74 • Supplement 1 February 2007
***** Reflections of a psychiatrist, by Zelko Leon, Independently published, 2022
****** Buddha’s Brain, by Rick Hanson, New Harbinger Publications, 2009
Comments