Simplified explanation of the brain’s role in Emotions:

Popular but somewhat erroneously, the Limbic System is often referred to as the "emotional brain." It is described as a group of brain structures including the Amygdala, Hippocampus, and hypothalamus that are involved in, among other functions, processing and regulating emotions and memory. Nevertheless, brain networks in these regions and other areas are essential elements of the body's response to stress cues. They are connected to the endocrine system (e.g., HPA), signals from the complex autonomic nervous system, the influential microbiomes, etc.

• Amygdala is sometimes seen as the center of charged emotions, which informs other structures of the brain of threat. It is also seen as running unchecked in extreme emotional states.

• Hippocampus is a complex structure in the brain closely aligned to memory formation. It is sometimes thought that the Hippocampus loses nerve-to-nerve functions under extreme emotions.

• Hypothalamus regulates a wide range of behavioral and physiological activities. Often under stress, it is sometimes considered to be overactive in extreme emotional states.

• The cingulate gyrus is an integral part of the limbic system and helps regulate emotions and pain. The cingulate gyrus is often involved in maladaptive avoidance when anxiety is experienced.

• Basal ganglia are a complex group of structures that regulate the initiation of specific movements. The basal ganglia are involved in linking the Thalamus with the motor cortex. The basal ganglia are also involved with cognitive and emotionally driven behaviors. They also play a role in reward, reinforcement, and habit formation.

Importantly, not only are the aforementioned famous brain structures of the "salience network" showing heightened activity in response to threat cues in the environment, but there are also reduced activities in the "frontal-parietal control network" (e.g., associated with cognitive control and emotional regulation). There are other critical "networks" involved in our daily emotional journey.

The field of neuroscience continues to identify more complex understandings of the role of the brain, brain networks, neurogenesis, and our physical and emotional health. For example, the default network, the salience network, and the executive control network are three brain network systems evaluated for their complex roles in emotional well-being.

The salience network, as mentioned above, uses nodes in the insular cortex; it alerts individuals to what is essential and where individuals should focus their attention. If one feels fearful, the salience network is activated, searching for threats of danger and more diminutive focused on resources. Equally important therapeutically is that attention training, mindfulness, etc., helps the individual shift focus to a more adaptive position.  

The DMN (default mode network or simply the default network) is a neuro- network of interacting brain regions that are active when an individual is not focused on the outside world and is considered partly responsible for intrinsic awareness. It encompasses the posterior and anterior cortical midline structures, with significant hubs in the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the angular gyrus.

 The default network is incredibly active when an individual engages in reflective activities such as daydreaming, contemplating the past or the future, or thinking about another person's perspective. The default mode network is also active when a person is awake. However, in a resting state, when a person is not engaged in any demanding, externally oriented mental task, the mind can shift into "default."

Daydreaming can often lead to creativity. Nevertheless, it can also lead to higher levels of rumination in depressed individuals. In depression, "rumination" on regrets, failures, shame, and anger occurs. Furthermore, links with default mode network dysregulation seem to be associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other conditions. There is more activity in the default network in the brains of lonely individuals. Therefore, these individuals spend a lot of time thinking about what has happened to them in the past and what will happen in the future, all with feelings of worry, anxiety, and dread. Thus, unfortunately, the present moment is not being attended to.

Experienced meditators seem to disengage the default mode network. More experienced meditators had much less activity in the default mode network than mediation beginners, and they were much better than neophytes in curtailing mind wandering. Some evidence suggests that meditation quiets the default network and boosts well-being through decreased inflammation and stress. Relaxation techniques, mindfulness, meditations (e.g., compassion meditation), and even deep breathing (e.g., diaphragmatic or belly breathing) can quiet the default mode network. Also, time spent in nature may disengage the default mode network. Any experience of awe, such as watching a sunrise or sunset, hiking in nature, or being in the ocean, can take individuals out of their mind traps. Focus is not on everyday worries but more on the big picture. Life is imperfect but still miraculous.

 The executive control network monitors what is happening around individuals and groups of individuals; it manages emotional parts of the brain, directs attention, and appears to be crucial in decision making. It also helps process sensory and memory information. In addition, there is mounting evidence that mindfulness and other meditation practices, as well as the “awe” experiences found in nature, assist this network to be expansive.

TRAMA and the BRAIN

Trauma hijacks critical structures which affect emotional regulation. As the Prefrontal cortex (PFC) goes offline, the Amygdala constantly fires. There is a breakdown in the Thalamus, which helps to explain why there is no coherent narrative of the trauma, just isolated sensory imprints, sounds, and physical symptoms related to terror and helplessness. The Hippocampus, which encodes memory, leads to the freezing of time and memory. The Anterior cingulate is hijacked from its ability to filter what is relevant from what is irrelevant. Finally, the Corpus callosum shrinks after several victimizations.

In summary, there is a lessened ability to develop secure attachments with the traumatized brain. As the PFC goes offline, there is less inhibitory control. The autonomic nervous system is on overdrive, and there can be a general experience of disassociation or depersonalization.