What did you just say to me?!? The Marriage of Neuroscience and Spiritual Principles

Trauma and Chronic stress change the way we perceive life and each other. Lately it’s been my observation that when our minds get flooded with chaos and uncertainty i.e. COVID-19, Afghanistan, political unrest, and racial tension, our capacity for mutual respect and grace is diminished. The further we go down that path, the more challenging it is to maintain a sense of connection with each other.

If we have past or present experience living or working in environments that are highly stressful, our internal emergency system has been activated on a regular basis. Examples of these environments would include first responders; military, ER, and medical personal; families with strained relationships; violence in the home or classroom; civil unrest; chronic or terminal illness; or the long-term uncertainty of a pandemic to name a few. I am certain that you could add many other things to this list. This consistent activation of the emergency system develops a strong neuropathway that leads to the amygdala which is housed in the lower part of our brain. This fast-track access to the amygdala causes us to become overly reactive to things that are not necessarily cause for alarm. We can think of these as false alarms.

The impact of chronic stress and trauma on brain function changes how we perceive the intentions of others and everyday situations. A disagreement or argument with a spouse or a friend can be perceived as dangerous and cause us to react more intensely than we would otherwise. The comment of another can be interpreted as an attack which in turn causes us to lash back. Real or perceived danger activates the emergency system in our brain which in turn slows down or stops the pre-frontal cortex, the thinking/rational part of our brain; the part from which we connect with one another. Over time, with consistent activation it becomes more and more difficult to find a sense of safety and peace which greatly impacts or capacity to experience connection with others and with God. Thankfully this can be reversed!

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 2:8)

When I read this verse from the Bible that was written almost 2,000 years ago and consider what we now know through science about the way that God designed our brain, it causes to me to think about the marriage of spiritual renewal coupled with science -neuroplasticity which is the capacity our brain has to regenerate and build new neuropathways.

The amazing thing is that “the renewing of your mind” can literally happen. When our brain is operating out of the emergency system, rational thought cannot happen. God gave us directions for renewing our mind that actually builds new neuropathways in our brain by meditating on the goodness of God, choosing to believe that He is who He says He is, and taking time to relax and focus our heart and mind on the things God has called us to focus on.

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. ” (Philippians 4:8)

Another aspect of renewal that God designed is through physical movement. Doing activities that engage both sides of the body such as walking, running, tossing a ball back and forth with someone, swinging, dancing, and drumming can help derail the signals going to the emergency system and provide access to the thinking brain to restore rational thinking and calm the nervous system.

In this long season of uncertainty, many have become stuck in a sense of danger and emergency that is fed by both reality and false alarms. As we practice shifting our focus and finding ways to incorporate physical movement into our daily routines, new neuropathways will be developed that strengthen access to the thinking part of our brain which builds capacity for rational and relational thinking. When God tells us to “meditate on these things” it is because He knows that because of the way He has designed our brains it will bring healing and peace that will lead to restored rational thinking, silence the false alarms, and allow us to draw closer to others and to Him.

Perhaps consideration of God is not something that you adhere to. Perhaps seeking God is something you strongly desire. Either way, whether by spiritual means or purely via science, these principles can apply. If you have thoughts or questions regarding this post, feel free to reach out. I would love the opportunity to talk about this with you more.