Brain Scans and the NOW

The Institute for BioFunctional Psychology

Detoxification, Neurotransmitter Balancing, Nutritional Restoration and Stress Reduction to Prepare Your BRAIN for the PsychoSpiritual Journey

The frontal lobes of the brain are the part of the brain which most neuroimagery studies such as functional MRI (fMRI) and other studies have shown are most involved in producing the faculty of consciousness called mindfullness or awareness. The frontal lobes, especially the medial areas of the left frontal lobe, appear to govern the "fight or flight response" which is generated in the older limbic system of the brain. In other words, the frontal lobes appear to be the brain structures most involved with becoming mindful of fear and anger which is generated in the more primitive limbic system. Neuroimagery studies have shown that individuals who are taught mindfulness meditation have enhanced frontal lobe activity and dimished activity in the limbic system's emotional area, especially in a part of the limbic region called the amygdala, which is mostly known as the region in the brain associated with the expression of fear.
The locus ceruleus is a structure in the reptilian brain which secretes the fight of flight driving hormone norepinephrine which feeds directly into the amygdala and other limbic system structures. At least eight neurotransmitter systems oppose this fight or flight response and these are referred to as the Neurotransmitters of NOW because they are clearly intended to assist us in letting go of fear and anger (see chart at end of the section "Why Zebras Aren't Insane"). These neurotransmitters of NOW are serotonin (and melatonin), dopamine (the "natural cocaine"), histamine, acetylcholine (the "natural nicotine"), taurine, endocannabinoids (the "natural marijuana"), enkephalins and endorphins (the "natural heroin") and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid, the "natural valium"). Many of these neurotransmitters are mimicked by psychotropic chemicals which are used to artificially counteract stress and the fight or flight response.
These neurotransmitters, like norepinephrine, are synthesized by neurons in different brain regions. For instance, serotonin is secreted in the raphe nuclei and projections from there heavily feed into the left medial frontal lobes, which inhibits the expresssion of the fear-producing amygdala. A quote from a PET scan study

by Chadi Calarge, et. al. (Visualizing How One Brain Understands Another: A PET Study of Theory of Mind (TOM) Am J Psychiatry 160:1954-1964, November 2003), “The medial frontal cortex appears to be a crucial region for this TOM task. It is related to the state that psychiatrists think of as the empathic mode." Jacqueline Borg, et.al. report in a fMRI study that “This finding ... indicated that the serotonin system may serve as a biological basis for spiritual experiences. … the several-fold variability in 5-HT1A receptor (serotonin) density may explain why people vary greatly in spiritual zeal.” (The Serotonin System & Spiritual Experiences, Am J Psychiatry 160:1965-1969, Nov 2003).
Individuals who on the other hand have less than average frontal lobe function also have an over expression of activity seen in brain scan studies in the amygdala and they appear to show greater propensity for impulsive violence (Science, vol. 289, July 28, 2000, 591-594).
Brain scan studies are for the first time able to evaluate the capacity for mindfulness and empathy which appears to be related to frontal lobe activity. The capacity for compassion, awareness and the ability to live in the NOW as opposed to being driven by fear and anger can now be evaluated through neuroimagery studies.

Copyright . Dr. Charles Gant. All rights reserved. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical of psychiatric disorder. If you have a medical or psychiatric disorder, contact a licensed healthcare professional for treatment. The diagnostic testing discussed here and recomendations for the use of nutritional supplements should be reviewed by your physician or healthcare provider who is familiar with functional medicine testing and integrative medicine.