One man, three brains: simple reality. Lynn McTaggart "Field"

Nature never abandons one or another functioning system: on the old basis it builds a new, more complex and more effective one. It seems as if nature created each new, evolved version of the brain to correct the mistakes of the previous system or expand its capabilities.

Joseph Pierce. Biology of the Transcendent

Despite societal problems, science continues to give us new and interesting discoveries. For me, a recent such gift was the “triple mind” model, created in the second half of the 20th century by the American neurologist Paul McLean based on decades of research.

What is the essence of this model? Paul McLean identified three centers of mental activity in our brain, each of which forms its own way of reacting to current events, and also has its own “value system” and even its own language.

The first center of the psyche is located in the cerebral cortex (“neocortex”), which appeared 1.5-2.5 million years ago. It is characteristic only of humans and occupies 80% of the brain. This is the “human mind” that can create abstract concepts, speak and think in words. It also allows us to operate with the concept of time, create plans and concepts, and has the ability to creatively reflect and process reality. This is where thinking and consciousness are concentrated, and it is the “neocortex” that we often call the brain. But that's not all.

The second center of the psyche is hidden in the subcortical structures. This is the limbic system, which includes the amygdala, hypothalamus and hippocampus. It appeared about 50 million years ago, is characteristic of modern mammals and is almost the same in all representatives of this class.

The limbic system is involved in regulating the functions of internal organs, smell, instinctive behavior, sleep and wakefulness, etc. But first of all, it is associated with emotions and memory. The emergence of emotions and the ability to express them was an important step forward, allowing mammals to develop cooperative behavior: forming herds and packs with a division of roles within, taking care of each other, and especially their offspring, and protecting the interests of the community. In addition to all of the above, the spectrum of states in mammals has become more diverse—states that allow them to achieve different goals. For example, be fierce in battle, but take care of the offspring.

The third center of the psyche, the most ancient “reptilian mind,” is located in the very depths of the brain. Anatomically, it is very similar to the brain of modern reptiles. This area regulates most autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. It is also closely connected with movements and is in charge of the simplest basic instincts. The reptilian brain is designed to ensure immediate survival, search for resources and reproduction. Reptiles know how to survive, but do not experience or express emotions; it is not for nothing that the word “cold-blooded” means the absence of emotions.

Three centers of the psyche. Each of them cares about their own goals. The “human brain” deals with issues of meaning, goals and explanations of the situation, the “mammal brain” deals with emotional attitudes, excitement, anger or love, etc., and the “reptilian brain” deals with issues of survival and procreation.

It should be noted that the division of the brain into three “layers” is rather arbitrary. The sheer number of connections between them and the tendency of the brain to act as one unit have made it very difficult to use this model of the “triple mind” in the scientific field where it was created - neuroscience. However, in psychology this model has found worthy application.

It is important that the “mammal brain” and the “reptile brain” have lived in close cooperation for 50 million years and are in tune with each other much more strongly than with the recently emerged “human brain.” It is within these layers that the structure that we call the “subconscious” is included.

But these three centers of the psyche are not always coordinated - both in the relationships of people and within themselves. Usually it's the other way around. Cases of their inharmonious state are, as a rule, familiar to everyone. This is the most common manifestation of “I should, but I don’t want to” - when the rational mind suppresses feelings and instincts; or “you want something that you don’t need” - when feelings attract a person to unreasonable actions; or instinctive irrational fears that you can’t get rid of; or numerous physiological manifestations “from the nerves”; and much more. The most common manifestation of a disharmonious psyche is “jamming” and “getting stuck” in place, as in the fable “The Swan, the Crayfish and the Pike.” The result is the same “stagnation in life”.

Man is a complex system, and one has to pay for this complexity! But it is our complex structure that gives us the opportunity to overcome the fragmentation of the psyche, and the new powerful “human mind” is able to understand the structure described above and harmonize it. Do you want to be happy? Align your worldview with your feelings and prove to your instincts that it leads to security and abundance.

Methods for this already exist and are being further developed. But I'll tell you about them later.

It’s hard to believe, but a person can have up to 100,000 thoughts a day, that’s a thought per second. We often do not track this flow; thoughts rush through our heads at great speed, leaving behind a completely different “aftertaste”.

Nowadays a very popular theory is that thoughts are material, that they can influence the scenario of life development, the emotional and physical well-being of a person. And indeed it is!
It is necessary to treat your thoughts carefully and consciously, because they directly affect the functioning of our brain, let's figure it out - how?

American neurophysiologist Paul D. MacLean developed a model of brain structure and evolution back in the 1960s, which he called the “triune brain.” Its essence lies in the fact that the human brain consists of three parts, mounted on top of one another, like in a nesting doll:

1. reticular (reptilian) brain

2. emotional (limbic, mammalian) brain

3. visual brain (cerebral cortex, neocortex).

The human brain, MacLean believes, is “equivalent to three interconnected biological computers,” each of which has “its own mind, its own sense of time and space, its own memory, motor and other functions.”

Reptilian brain- the most ancient. Its age is more than 100 million years. It regulates the vital functions of the body: breathing, sleep, blood supply to the body, muscle contraction. The only function of the reptilian brain is SURVIVAL. Reptilian brain is responsible for the safety of the species and controls basic human behavior, reflexes and instincts.

Limbic system- younger, its age is more than 50 million years and man inherited it from ancient mammals. The limbic system is responsible for the generation of EMOTIONS and connects emotional and physical activity. This is where fear, sadness, fun, and change of mood arise. The entire range of feelings is generated by this part of the human brain. The limbic system is also responsible for human social adaptation, interaction with other people, and empathy.

The neocortex is the youngest structure of the brain, the cerebral cortex. Its age is about 2 million years and all higher mammals have it. The neocortex is responsible for the human MIND in the broadest sense of the word. Thanks to the neocortex, modern man has the ability to think, draw conclusions, analyze, compare, and learn. Those. It is the neocortex that allows us to HEALTHY evaluate situations, relying on reason, and not just instincts and emotions, make informed decisions, analyze our experience, and reflect.

Now that we have examined all three structures of the brain, we can correctly conclude that in order to lead a conscious life, to make logical, correct and informed decisions, we must actively use neocortex. But the trick is that evolutionarily, the reptilian brain performs the most important function - ensuring the survival of the species, and, accordingly, is the strongest, dominant of the entire structure of the triune brain. And it is the reptilian brain that is the first to react to any external stimuli, especially if they have a negative connotation.
It is very important to remember the feature reptilian brain- when he exhibits dominant activity, a person loses the ability to think at all other, disproportionately higher levels, i.e. emotional brain And neocortex they simply switch off and the person acts at the level of instincts, which means he shows aggression (instincts of defense, protection, struggle for power and territory), or goes into passive behavior (instinct of escape), or begins to eat stress (instinct of destruction, eating the enemy), or acts in a different, instinctive way, far from reasonable, “adult” behavior.

Reptilian brain– this is a certain Cerberus who stands in defense of our body, our life. Any negative information received from the outside, like any negative thought or memory, instantly activates the reptilian brain and paralyzes emotions and the mind. A person simply CANNOT think rationally.

Track how many negative thoughts fly through your head per day. Analyze how much negativity you receive from the media (Internet, television, radio).

90% of the information we receive from the media is negative, related to violence, death, disasters, wars. How do we react to this news? That's right, at the level of instincts. Our reptilian brain completely takes over our consciousness, depriving us of the ability to think and reason soberly. All we can do is react instinctively: show aggression (and in most cases, auto-aggression, i.e. directed at ourselves, since we have no one to direct external aggression at), fall into depression (as a variant of passive behavior), earn eating disorders, neuroses, panic attacks, etc.

The same thing happens when we think negatively, because the brain does not distinguish between the circumstances of real life and the pictures that we imagine in our head. The brain’s reaction is the same to both the real and the imaginary – the reptilian brain turns on and we “fall” to the level of instincts. People suffering from aerophobia only need to hear the word “airplane” or imagine a picture of a flight - they fall into a state of panic, close to fainting, showing all the signs of behavior and physiological reaction, as if they were actually in danger of trouble.

Can behavior at the level of instincts be productive and rational? Probably not.

Our task is to protect ourselves from internal and external negativity in every possible way. We are not used to controlling our thoughts. Often we simply don’t think about it, perceiving the flow of thoughts as something taken for granted, something integral to us. It is extremely important to engage in thought prevention. Analyze, identify and neutralize negative images that arise in our head. Fill your mind with productive, positive information. Remain in a state of intelligence and awareness.

We need to calm and tame our inner Cerberus, otherwise we risk being completely at its mercy.

Term "Signal system" was introduced by Nobel laureate academician Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov determined that The signaling system is a system of conditioned and unconditional reflex connections between the higher nervous system of animals (including humans) and the surrounding world.
Later, when neurobiology had moved immeasurably further in its research, leading American brain specialist Paul D. MacLean suggested that the human brain consists of three layers, each of which corresponds to a certain stage in human evolution. These three types of brains are stuck on top of each other like in a nesting doll:

“We must look at ourselves and the world through the eyes of three completely different personalities, tightly interacting with each other" The human brain, McLean believes, is “equivalent to three interconnected biological computers,” each of which has “its own mind, its own sense of time and space, its own memory, motor and other functions.”

So, according to this theory, all people have a triune brain system, which includes:
1. reticular (reptilian) brain
2. emotional (limbic, mammalian) brain
3. visual brain (cerebral cortex, neocortex).
Reptilian brain- this is the most ancient brain, or rather part of it. It was formed more than 400 million years ago. It contains primitive fears and instincts, it reacts first and its task is to save our lives. Oddly enough, scientists believe that it is under the influence of this particular brain that decisions are most often made. To run away or fight, to hide or actively pursue is the “merit” of the reptilian brain. Most behavioral reactions also “grow” from it, for example: aggression, indifference, composure, the desire to rule and possess. Our behavioral patterns and habits “live” here, what we associate with the concept of instinctive. In addition, it is the reptilian brain that is responsible for survival and therefore this brain denies everything new and unknown. He rebels against any changes that are not clear to him. Let us remember this important function and we will return to it later.
Limbic system (midbrain) – “emotional brain”. Mammal brain. Its age is 50 million years, this is an inheritance from ancient mammals. The limbic system, attached to the ancient brain, is found in all mammals. It is involved in the regulation of the functions of internal organs, smell, instinctive behavior, memory, sleep, wakefulness, but primarily the limbic system is responsible for emotions. Therefore, this part of the brain is often called the emotional brain. Let us pay attention that this brain gives us the ability to remember - so we immediately have a filter and a protest against changes, this is not an easy thing - reconditioning of neural electrons. This same emotional brain sifts through information at the “friend or foe” level. This is where fear, fun, and change of mood arise. By the way, it is the limbic system that is susceptible to the influence of psychotropic substances, alcohol and drugs
The emotional brain doesn't differentiate between threats to our body and threats to our ego.. Therefore, we begin to defend ourselves without even understanding the essence of the situation. The reptilian and emotional systems of the brain have existed together for 50 million years and interact very well. Therefore, it is so important to understand that these two tightly coupled systems often send signals that are subsequently not always correctly interpreted.
Visual brain (cerebral cortex, neocortex). Thinking brain. This is the rational mind - the youngest structure. Age 1.5 – 2.5 million years. The neocortex, the cerebral cortex, is responsible for higher nervous activity. The mass of the neocortex makes up eighty percent of the total mass of the brain matter, and it is unique to humans.
The neocortex perceives, analyzes, and sorts messages received from the senses. It is characterized by such functions as reasoning, thinking, decision-making, the realization of a person’s creative abilities, the implementation of expedient control of motor reactions, speech, and the realization of Man in general. What we call intelligence. This is exactly the brain where the author’s program is “written”. Based on the overall size of the brain and its convolutions, there is plenty of room to roam around! The neocortex is the sixth (mental, intuitive) sense organ. Its development activates the so-called mental sense, which allows you to sense the subtlest vibrations of the universe, DNA molecules, and the thoughts of other people. At this stage, analysis begins, identifying patterns, highlighting differences. This is what. What we call consciousness. This is the part of the brain that “wants”, “can”, “should” (and other modal verbs), is unhappy and tries to take control.

This model of the human brain essentially also models(I emphasize here there is no absolutely direct analogy, since conceptual constructions cannot be absolutely correct, and the boundaries between phenomenal thought forms are conditional) individual consciousness and correlates with the classification of Signal Systems according to the Dragon.
Zero signal system– here only awareness of the energetic phenomena of the base (fullness, emptiness and awareness) occurs. These phenomena do not contain information, so the brain does not react to it (there are no signal connections between the nervous system and the brain), and awareness is not an individual function, let alone the brain, it is impersonal.
First signaling system. The first reaction of the brain to physical, mental and mental phenomena. They can be called energy-informational. A mental-nervous reaction occurs, signals are sent to the reptilian brain. This is the manifested world, but there are no names, no descriptions, no registration, much less analysis.
Second alarm system. In the limbic (mammalian brain) it becomes possible to register a thought due to the fact that there is a division into thought and “something else” - mental emptiness. Like a frame in a film film, it is limited by a transparent border - the absence of an image, but it is this image that allows you to highlight the shaded frame and register it. And so it is registered, grasped, realized and held. It is in this brain that the registration of a mental phenomenon—thought—occurs. It seems to us as if we “started to think.” In the first signaling system, thoughts are also present, but no one knows about these thoughts themselves, but the reptilian brain does not realize that these are thoughts. In the second signaling system, registration occurs, but even here the mammalian brain does not at all pretend to be the author of thoughts and is related to their origin.
But only in the third signal system, which obviously corresponds “the crown of brain evolution” - the neocortex (cerebral cortex) that notorious “contagion” occurs, because it is here that the thought of “I” or the “author’s program” appears (note that it is not “emerged,” but is interpreted contextually). And now all interpretation occurs through the prism of the author's context.

But all 3 parts of the brain work very connected, clearly and synchronously. The appearance of the “author’s program” is necessarily tested by the limbic brain, and then “descends” to the reptilian department. Naturally, neither the midbrain, nor even more so its lower section, had ever heard of any “I-programs,” since they originated much earlier in evolutionary development than the cerebral cortex, where this program is “written in.” And these sections of the brain inform us as best they can about a “glitch”, a “virus”, an “impostor”. This is where sensory responses appear, reactions of the emotional brain, which, again, neocortex interprets as a feeling of insufficiency , in fact, the organism " asks for synchronization" between all three "interconnected biological computers".

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Yes, a person has three brains.

This is a proven fact that is worth knowing.

Why? First of all, it's interesting. Secondly, this is important.

Three brains are a gift from long evolution that allowed us to survive and become who we are. But also the three blocks of the brain are a complex system of interactions, without understanding the logic of which it is almost impossible to plan, achieve or achieve anything. Perhaps only on an intuitive level.

Paul MacLean's theory: three human brains

First, general information.

In every person's head there is three-layer triune brain. Each new level appeared as a consequence of evolution and introduced something new and absolutely unique into behavior. All systems are located one above the other, that is, they are not departments or hemispheres.

More like shells.

The deepest layer, small in volume and oldest in age, is the membrane of the reptilian brain. Responds to survival in the global sense of the word.

The second layer is the limbic system. She is already less years old, and the zone of influence on the human body is stronger. It includes the entire emotional spectrum of feelings - from love to hatred.

The neocortex completes the structure of the human triune brain. This level makes us thinking, intelligent beings. The main ones on this planet.

An interesting pattern has been revealed: the older the level of the brain, the stronger its influence on behavior and habits, the more difficult it is to fight it.

Important. All three structures “live” unharmoniously. They very rarely interact with each other; more often, each “defends” its own interests.

That's what we'll talk about.

Reptilian brain, r-complex, instincts

The reptilian brain got its name because it exists today in a fully formed form in reptiles. They did not go further along the chain of evolution, giving scientists the opportunity for global analysis.

Reptiles have a complete p-complex, the activity of which is aimed at survival. To do this you need:

1. eat;
2. multiply;
3. defend - run away or attack.

Actually, that's all. If there are no external influences, and basic instincts are satisfied, the reptile will be in hibernation or immobility.

This is a huge plus for a person whose p-complex is included in three blocks of the brain. Why? Because during normal life, this layer of the brain is almost always in a state of stasis and does not interfere.

In case of danger, hunger or other basic needs, it wakes up and “rallies”. Then he “sleeps” again.

Limbic system, L-complex, emotions

The second round of evolution is easy to trace in mammals and birds.

Following the emotions, the need for society quickly grew. The concepts of “hierarchy”, “status”, “dominance” appeared.

The desires of the limbic system influence all three parts of the brain.

What does the limbic want?

• Endless comfort!
• Good and tasty to eat.
• It's interesting to relax.
• Constantly rejoice.
• Enjoy life.
• Be in love.

The more positive, the more fully the L-complex is realized. The happier the person. And this is already creating problems.

In general, the limbic behavior pattern resembles a very capricious child. She only wants to be happy and have fun. Everything that she doesn’t like and doesn’t bring pleasure is rejected at a conscious-subconscious level.

The word “should” is not familiar to the limbic system. Just the word “I want”!

Neocortex, new brain, mind

Humans, dolphins and some primates have thoughts, judgments, the ability to analyze and other “goodies” of conscious existence. What is the new level created by evolution responsible for?

If we compare all three brain systems, the new structure is allocated 85%. It's a lot in volume, but it doesn't add any influence.

The neocortex, on the one hand, heads all three types of brain and makes us “reasonable people,” but at the same time it is in a constant struggle with emotions and the p-complex.

The new brain wants:

• develop;
• think;
• analyze;
• to plan;
• evaluate;
• compare…

But the rest of the systems - the limbic and reptilian parts - do not need this. They need to survive and get maximum pleasure. All!

Three membranes of the brain: difficulties

The three parts of the brain are constantly in opposition to each other. But the limbic system struggles most with the neocortex.

Limbika does not want to learn, develop, or plan. She wants to lie on the couch, eat delicious food and enjoy light books.

And in this situation, the reptilian simply sleeps. There is no danger, there is food - and nothing else is needed.

It is with the capricious child - the L-complex - that you have to fight when you want to:

• move towards goals;
• develop;
• to plan;
• achieve;

By the way, everything works out well with habits. If you survive the protests of the body and brain, then the limbic will learn to get a thrill from the newly acquired skill and will perceive it favorably.

This is where the whole secret lies. A single brain - a three-in-one concept - can interact efficiently if the comfort of each structure is taken care of.

Synchronize the blocks and give each level the sensations that are important to it.

If you can do this, then the three brain blocks work as one. And a person finds himself in a “flow” and can reach any heights.

And another very important point: the theory of three brains gives an understanding of how to control emotions and not spontaneously fall into extreme states. That is, keeping anger, rage, stress and even excessive joy in check. More on this in the following articles.

#Wisdom #Consciousness #brain

In a series of seminal studies over the past 25 years, leading American brain scientist Paul MacLean has shown that the human brain consists of three layers, each corresponding to a specific stage in human evolution. According to the "triune brain" theory, the first department to develop was called the "reptilian brain." He directs the basic instincts - self-preservation and procreation, as well as other functions related to survival. The reptilian brain is surrounded by a complex limbic system called the "mammalian brain." Its functions are emotional and cognitive. The newest part of the brain is a complex gray matter called the neocortex, or “thinking brain.” The neocortex perceives, analyzes, sorts messages received from the senses, and is responsible for memory, intelligence, speech and consciousness. Although the functions of the brain regions have many overlaps, they are very different in chemical composition, structure, action and style. Having three brains should be better than one, but due to some mistake, the communication and coordination between the neocortex and the two older parts of the brain is incomplete. Because of this, there is a chronic dissociation between higher and lower levels, which MacLean dubbed "schizo-physiology." We experience this as contradictory drives - conscious and unconscious, savagery and civilization, lust and love, ritual and symbol, rational and verbal. At times, all three levels act in unison. As a rule, this happens at moments of peak vital activity, when the body and mind unite in a single impulse and all our actions are performed spontaneously, without effort. But such rare moments are difficult to predict.

Reptilian brain. The first and most ancient brain is called the reptilian brain. It is also called the p-complex. In its finished form it was formed in reptiles. Reptiles respond to stimuli, that is, their activity can be considered stimulus-responsive. If a reptile is attracted to something, it approaches; if it frightens or is rejected, it moves away. In this regard, reptiles have very highly developed senses - vision, touch, smell, sensations. The reptile is focused on food (needed to survive), it is interested in mating (needed to reproduce), and when danger arises, it can either attack or retreat. In addition, if the reptile is not interested in anything, it can turn on another of its protective functions - ignoring. It is believed that in humans this P-complex is formed before the age of three. It contains all the basic reactions and models of protection (of course, not by ourselves, but under conditions of environmental influence).

Limbic brain. The second brain is called the mammal or limbic system, also called the L-complex. It is observed in birds and mammals. This evolutionary superstructure appeared in connection with a new decision - it is not necessary to kill your enemies, but to influence them with emotions. Reptiles don't have emotions, but cats do. In addition, the l-complex is also responsible for its place in the group, in society, that is, for the hierarchy and its place in it. Emotions, dominance, status are functions of the L-complex.

New brain. The third brain is called the neocortex, or new cerebral cortex. Dolphins and apes also have a neocortex. The neocortex occupies about 85 percent of the human brain, which, of course, indicates its importance compared to the P-complex and limbic system. The neocortex is responsible for thoughts, assessments, judgments; it divides reality into the present, past and future, and can analyze and calculate. The neocortex is responsible for self-awareness. It can reflash lower levels. When synchronization of the p-complex, l-complex and neocortex occurs, resource states occur in a person.