Nervous System Mastery: A shout out to the networks!
The personalised universe in our brain and body is constantly communicating with the world around us and our internal biology. With so much electrochemical activity taking place it probably won’t surprise you that a relatively new field of neuroscience called connectomics is mapping and exploring connections within the nervous system, most notably the brain. With trillions of connections to unravel it is hoped we will have a greater insight into different networks and higher order interactions across emotion, thought and behaviour.
From the get go, humans need to ‘network’ with fellow humans for survival, but lets delve internally a bit deeper into some potential brain networks that contribute to creating our own individualised reality: the Default Mode Network (DMN), the Central Executive Network (CEN) and the Salient Network.
The DMN is an interconnected group of brain regions, active during rest and sleep, it comes alive during daydreaming. It appears to be less active when the brain becomes focused on ‘external’ goal orientated tasks. When the brain isn’t actively engaged in a specific cognitive focus the ‘default’, subconscious activity enables such things as -mind wondering, ‘me time’ escapism or imaginative free styling! Not surprisingly this area is involved with creating a sense of self and contemplating others thoughts and feelings. It draws upon elements like childhood memory patterns in relation to how we felt, what we sensed. It also considers perception in relation space and time.
Obviously we need to counterbalance the DMN. This is done when the CEN comes active. It is driven more by goal orientated demands being activated. Here’s a simple example:
So you are in deep thought staring out of the window, internal thoughts & feelings are not adhering to any regime or boundary (DMN is active/ CEN less active). All of a sudden a colleague comes over and demands a new excel report to be created (DMN less active / CEN active). This is all mediated by the Salient Network switching between the two states. The Salient Network relies on external and internal sensory data being streamed, such as noticing a distinct smell or sound. Internally it will notice bodily sensations (i.e fear or joy) and changes.
Like everything in life we have to find a balance, some people can have overwhelming challenges with the DMN becoming overactive. In contrast living life in constant CEN mode may be rather robotic. Try to remember the beautiful complexity underpinning you, we are obviously so much more than distinct networks and ultimately the networks need to work in synergy! Our sense of self is woven together by key elements such as our past, our present, our biology, our psychology and our sense of safety. Outwardly remember the importance of respecting and appreciating our individual differences - no brain is the same. Whereas inwardly notice and build ongoing awareness to find what serves you and your networks best !!