Understanding The Body’s Three “Brains”

And how they work synergistically with one another

At what point in our life do we come to the understanding of the body’s three “brains” in all their complexity?

Conventional schooling had us thinking that we only had one main brain above our shoulders.

This is far from the truth.

You see, the body is one big complex machine.

Here is an analogy for you; think of it like a chain on a bike. Each link plays a vital role in gaining momentum while working in unison.

The body is the exact same way, but most of its “parts” go unnoticed like blinking or breathing.

We do these subconsciously and autonomously.

However, everything works like that chain on that bike, right?

With this being said, we’re going to explore this bike to see how this sprocket works in motion.

Understanding the body’s three “brains”

Your body has three brains. Yes, you’ve read that correctly.

The first brain is your head brain, which controls your cognition and emotions.

The second brain is your heart brain, which controls your emotions and behavior.

And, the third brain is your gut-brain, which controls your digestion and lymphatic system.

All three brains are interconnected and work together to keep you healthy and functioning properly.

Your head brain is the largest and most developed of the three brains. It is responsible for your thoughts, emotions, and memories.

The heart-brain is the second-largest and is responsible for your emotions and behavior.

It is also responsible for controlling your blood pressure and heart rate.

The gut-brain is the smallest of the three brains, but it is responsible for a lot of important functions.

This controls your digestion and immune system i.e. the lymphatic system, and it also plays a role in your mood and emotions.

All three brains are important for your overall health and well-being.

The three brains work together to keep you healthy and functioning properly.

If one of the three brains is not working properly, it can affect the other two.

That’s why it’s important to take care of all three brains.

However, now that we have all of this out of the way, let us delve into this topic a little deeper shall we?

The brain and how it works

The brain is an amazing organ that controls everything from our thoughts and emotions to our movement and sensations.

It is made up of different types of cells, including neurons and glial cells, which work together to carry out these functions.

Neurons are the primary type of cell in the brain and are responsible for transmitting the information.

Glial cells are supporting cells that help to keep the neurons healthy and functioning properly.

The brain is divided into different regions, each of which is responsible for carrying out specific functions.

For example, the cerebrum is the largest region of the brain and is responsible for activities such as thinking, memory, and movement.

The brainstem is responsible for the functions that keep us alive, such as breathing and heart rate.

The cerebellum controls movement and balance. The limbic system is responsible for our emotions and motivation.

Each region of the brain is made up of different types of neurons that are arranged in a specific way to carry out their function.

The brain is constantly changing and growing, even into adulthood. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to adapt and learn new information.

It is amazing how such a complex organ can fit inside our skull!

The most modern computer, “known to man” can’t compete with brain computations. It just can’t.

I put those words in parenthesis because military technology is far advanced. So advanced, at least 50 years ahead of civilian technology.

This is some Terminator type of tech!

Another interesting note, if you study how the brain looks and compare it to the intestines, they look exactly the same.

You cannot make any of this stuff up, and it is no coincidence either.

The best superfood for brain health is undoubtedly eggs. It packs all of the nutrients the mind and body need to thrive.

Another major component for fuel will be carbohydrates and fructose for optimal functionality.

Here’s some more intel on this topic from Dr. McCraty:

“There is more information going from the heart to the brain than the other around, and this Information influences regions in the brain that affects decision making, creativity, and especially emotions.

The general idea is that the body is a downward system, but 85 – 90% of all near fibers carry information from the body to the brain, and a major part of this information comes from the heart via the vagus nerve. Dr. Rollin McCraty, Doctor of research at the Heartmath Institute.”

Now, these are concrete facts coming straight from the horse’s mouth.

So, are ya’ feeling hungry now?

Another gem from Dr. McCraty:

“The heart-brain, as it is commonly called, or intrinsic cardiac nervous system, is an intricate network of complex ganglia (group of nerve cells), neurotransmitters, proteins, and support cells, the same as those of the brain in the head.

The heart-brain’s neural circuitry enables it to act independently of the cranial brain to learn, remember, make decisions, and even feel the sense.”

The gut and brain also act pretty similarly:

“Ninety-nine percent of the signals conveyed via the vagus nerve travel from the gut to the brain, while just 10 percent of the traffic runs in the opposite direction, from the brain to the gut.

In fact, the gut can handle most of its activities without any interference from the brain, while the brain seems to depend greatly on vital information from the gut.” – Dr. Emeran Mayer, gastroenterologist, neurologist, and author of, “The Mind-Gut Connection.”

There are three types of brains in the head; the primitive brain, the emotional brain, and the thinking brain.

The primitive brain:

The primitive brain is responsible for our most basic functions and instincts.

This includes things like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

It also controls our fight-or-flight response, which is our body’s natural reaction to dangerous situations.

The primitive brain is made up of the medulla oblongata and the pons.

These two areas are responsible for our involuntary actions, like breathing and the fight-or-flight response.

The primitive brain is also known as the reptilian brain because it is similar to the brains of reptiles.

via GIPHY

The emotional brain:

The emotional brain is the part of the brain responsible for processing and regulating emotions.

It includes the limbic system, which is made up of the amygdala, hippocampus, and other structures.

The emotional brain is important for our survival. It helps us to identify and respond to threats, and to feel positive emotions that motivate us to take care of ourselves and our loved ones.

However, the emotional brain can also be a source of distress.

When we experience negative emotions like fear, anxiety, or sadness, it can be hard to think clearly or make good decisions.

This can lead to problems in our relationships, at work, and in other areas of our lives.

The thinking brain:

Located in the outermost part of the brain called the neocortex, the thinking brain is responsible for our ability to reason, plan, and make decisions.

This part of the brain is what makes us human and sets us apart from other animals.

The thinking brain is made up of two hemispheres, the left, and the right.

The left hemisphere is responsible for logical thinking, while the right hemisphere is responsible for creative thinking.

The thinking brain is constantly active, even when we are asleep. During sleep, the brain is thought to sort and store information that we have learned during the day.

The thinking brain is also responsible for our emotions.

Emotions are created by the limbic system, which is located in the middle of the brain.

The limbic system is made up of the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the hippocampus.

The thinking brain has a direct connection to the limbic system, which is why our emotions can sometimes override our logic. The thinking brain is an amazing thing.

So next time you are feeling emotional, remember that it is your thinking brain at work!

Fortunately, there are things we can do to help manage our emotions and improve our emotional well-being and understanding of the body’s three brains.

Here are some tips:

1. Identify your emotions. The first step to managing your emotions is to become aware of them. Pay attention to how you feel when something good or bad happens. Notice the physical sensations that accompany your emotions, such as a racing heart or tightness in your chest.

2. Express your emotions in healthy ways. It’s important to find healthy outlets for your emotions. If you are feeling angry, try exercising or writing in a journal. If you are feeling sad, spending time with friends or family can be helpful.

3. Challenge your negative thoughts. When we’re feeling down, it is easy to believe negative thoughts about ourselves, others, and the world around us. These thoughts can make our emotions feel even worse. One way to challenge negative thoughts is to ask yourself whether there is evidence to support them. For example, if you are thinking, “I am a failure,” ask yourself whether there is evidence to support that statement.

4. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and learn to accept them without getting caught up in them.

5. Seek professional help. If you’re struggling to manage your emotions, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can teach you healthy ways to deal with your emotions and provide support and guidance. Educate yourself on the understanding of the body’s three brains.

Lets talk about the heart brain

The heart-brain function is the communication between the two organs.

The heart sends messages to the brain through the nervous system, and the brain sends messages to the heart through the circulatory system.

This communication is essential for keeping the body in balance and for coordinating its activities.

Diseases or injuries can disrupt this communication and lead to problems. However, that is with anything though. Balance, remember this word indefinitely.

The heart-brain health is also responsible for emotions, including love, joy, fear, and anger.

When the communication between the heart and brain is working well, we feel good. When it is not, we may feel anxious, depressed, or angry.

Ways to keep your heart healthy:

There are many ways to keep your heart healthy. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking are all great ways to keep your heart in good shape.

Furthermore, managing stress and maintaining a healthy weight are also important factors in keeping your heart healthy.

Making sure to get regular checkups and monitoring your blood pressure are also key steps in keeping your heart healthy.

Overall, there are many things you can do to keep your heart healthy and functioning properly.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your heart stays healthy for years to come.

Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy.

Focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, be sure to limit your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium.

Exercising regularly is another great way to keep your heart healthy.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity on most days of the week.

If you are not used to exercising, start off slowly and gradually increase your activity level. Avoiding smoking is also important for heart health.

via GIPHY

If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Managing stress is another important factor in keeping your heart healthy.

Try to find ways to manage and reduce stress in your life.

Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing are all great ways to help reduce stress. Maintaining a healthy weight is also essential for heart health.

If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Finally, getting regular checkups and monitoring your blood pressure are also important steps in keeping your heart healthy.

You are probably thinking that most of this stuff written on here is repetitive but it works and has for eons.

We have to practice what we preach.

We will be so comfortable in our own zone that when something happens to us, it is too late – then all of a sudden it becomes a priority.

It is how our minds work, but once you have read it, it will stick to your mind “hopefully.”

I cannot convey this enough, the importance of understanding the body’s three brains and how interconnected everything is internally and externally.

If you watch Stranger Things on Netflix, they have a being in the show that possesses a “hive mind.” If you kill one of the beings henchmen, they are all affected.

This is how the body rolls no pun intended 😂.

Ways to activate the three brains:

1. Use your imagination: The first way to activate the three brains is to use your imagination. When you focus your attention on a specific image or idea, you are using your brain’s ability to create mental images. This activates the visual and spatial areas of your brain, as well as the area responsible for processing and understanding language.

2. Use your emotions: The second way to activate the three brains is to use your emotions. When you feel strongly about something, your brain releases chemicals that influence how you think and behave. These chemicals can help you focus your attention, remember information better, and make decisions more quickly.

3. Use your body: The third way to activate the three brains is to use your body. When you move your body, you also move your brain. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which helps to nourish and protect it. Exercise also promotes the growth of new brain cells and connections between them. When you use all three of these strategies — imagination, emotion, and movement — you are giving your brain the best chance to function at its highest level.

via GIPHY

Understanding the body’s gut-brain and how it works

There are a lot of talks these days about the gut-brain connection and how important it is for overall health.

However, what exactly is the gut-brain and how does it work?

The gut-brain is actually a network of nerves and hormones that runs from the gut to the brain.

This network helps to regulate many different functions in the body, including digestion, appetite, metabolism, and mood.

The gut-brain connection is important because it helps to regulate many different aspects of our health.

For example, studies have shown that the gut-brain can influence our mood.

In one study, participants who ate a fermented milk product had significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression than those who did not eat the fermented milk.

Other studies have shown that gut bacteria can influence our weight and that gut-brain communications are important for regulating metabolism.

So, how does the gut-brain connection work?

There are a few different ways that the gut-brain communicates with each other.

The first way is through the nervous system. The gut has a network of nerves that send information to the brain.

This way, the gut can let the brain know when it’s time to digest food or when there is a problem with digestion.

The second way that the gut-brain communicates is through hormones. The gut produces many different hormones that regulate different functions in the body.

For example, gut hormones can influence our appetite or how our body stores fat.

Finally, the gut-brain connection also works through the immune system i.e. lymphatic system.

Understanding the body’s three brains which include the gut is home to a large number of immune cells that can send signals to the brain.

For example, gut bacteria play an important role in immune function and can influence the way our body responds to infections and diseases.

All in all, our bodies were built to utter resiliency.

I do not know if this has ever crossed your mind but when you look at the brain and intestines side-by-side they look similar, right?

I mean, it makes sense.

However, as you can see, the gut-brain connection is very important for overall health. If you want to optimize your health, it’s important to take care of your gut-brain.

This means eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels. By taking care of your gut-brain, you’ll be on your way to a healthier and happier life.

Furthermore, to be frank, I am sure each and every one of you have experienced that “hangry” sensation before.

As that old saying goes, “A way to a person’s heart is through the stomach.”

Do you find this information about understanding the body’s three brains helpful thus far?

The importance of getting familiar with and understanding our body’s three brains work is vital.

Eating a balanced diet is vital as well.

What do I mean by balance? I mean eating as many fruits and complex carbs as you can, with some meats in there – preferably some steak or chicken.

Go out and grab some cheat food a couple of times a week because, let us face it, eating “clean” sucks BIG TIME!

However, news flash, eventually we are all going to expire one day so eat what you enjoy, who am I to pass judgment.

No one is perfect, as far as I know, but however, what do I know?

Does the gut influence mental health?

The short answer is yes!

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that our gut health plays a significant role in our overall mental health.

For example, studies have shown that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

Additionally, research has demonstrated that gut bacteria can influence our mood and behavior.

For instance, one study found that a specific type of probiotic was effective in reducing anxiety and improving mood in people with depression.

These findings suggest that our gut health is intimately connected to our mental well-being.

Therefore, it is important to take care of our gut health in order to maintain a healthy mind.

This was a long article I know, but I wanted to drill the understanding of the body’s three brains into your brain, you know, the one between your ears.

Stay safe and many blessings to you all!