Twelve: Neural Pathways

Why are certain trains of thought automatic?  How do we get locked into thinking the same negative thoughts over and over again?  Why do we keep obsessing over the same distressing topics even though we try so hard to stop?

Obsessive thoughts occur because when a new idea comes to our attention it becomes instilled in a neural pathway that becomes deeper and deeper with every repetition.  A neural pathway is the development of a network of brain cells that form in a pattern.  But how do these thoughts become a set pattern?  A neural pathway is created when we learn.  When the learning is emotional, it can be more intense.

A negative neural pathway is formed by emotional learning – the experience of a negative event, or from a stressful realization that may or may not be true.

A neural pathway is like a thin trail across the grass at first.  If the thoughts contain a lot of emotion, the trail attracts attention and is traveled more and more.  The trail becomes a dirt path.  It is getting deeper.  The more often your mind travels down this path, the easier it is to slip into it.  This can become obsession.

The reason negative neural pathways cause emotional pain and unease is that certain chemicals, such as the stress hormone cortisol, are released into the brain at high levels from distressing thoughts.  The more we travel down these paths of thought, the more high levels of these chemicals are maintained.  Anxiety is the result. 

However, the brain is plastic and ever changing, especially when we make a concerted effort to make it change.  If we avoid these negative trains of thought, the negative neural pathways ‘shrivel’ from disuse.  The way to do this is to consciously create positive neural pathways.  The positive, feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin, and endorphins are released into the brain, taking control of your mood.   

If this is so simple, why isn’t it easy to do?  To create a positive neural pathway you must think it over and over again, just as the negative pathway was created.  The emotional charge is not present though.  Therefore, practice is required.  Just as we practiced to drive, play an instrument, or take an exam, so we must have the discipline to repeat positive thoughts.  This constant reinforcement trains the brain to think more rationally. 

A helpful way to start a positive neural pathway is to write down positive ideas.  The focus on the new thoughts intensifies by using other senses.  A few days of ‘practice’ by writing directs you to return to these ideas mentally.  Your positive neural pathways deepen.  You experience concrete relief.

As we think, so it shall be.

Happiness