Brain system/parts as divided by Dr Amen.

Youll learn that the deep limbic system , at the center of the brain, is the bonding and mood control center. Being connected to others is essential to civilization, yet when this part of the brain is off kilter, people struggle with moodiness and negativity. Youll learn how certain smells and clear thinking soothe the activity in this part of the brain, and why spending time with positive people is essential to deep limbic health. The basal ganglia , large structures deep within the brain, control the bodys idling speed. When this part of the brain works too hard, anxiety, panic, fearfulness, and confl ict avoidance are often the result. As I describe in the book, I inherited overactive basal ganglia, which leave me vulnerable to anxiety and nervousness. I know personally that anxiety is no fun and will give you plenty of ideas on how to settle down this part of the brain. When it is underactive, people often struggle with concentration and fi ne motor control problems. The prefrontal cortex , at the front tip of the brain, is your supervisor, the part of the brain that helps you stay focused, make plans, control impulses, and make good (or bad) decisions. When this part of the brain is underactive, people have problems supervising themselves and also have significant problems with attention span, focus, organization, and follow-through. Learning how to activate the prefrontal cortex in a positive way leads to better internal supervision. The cingulate (pronounced sing-u-lat ), a part of the brain that runs longitudinally through the middle part of the frontal lobes, is the part of the brain I call your gear shifter. It allows you to shift attention from thought to thought and between behaviors. When this part of the brain is overactive, people have
16 Introduction

problems getting stuck in certain loops of thoughts or behaviors. Understanding its

function will help you deal with repetitive worries. Dealing with worry, rigidity, and overfocused behavior in yourself or others will be easier after reading this book. Lastly, the temporal lobes, underneath the temples and behind the eyes, are involved with memory, understanding language, facial recognition, and temper control. When there are problems, especially in the left temporal lobe, people are more prone to temper fl areups, rapid mood shifts, and memory and learning problems. Optimizing this part of the brain may help you experience inner peace for the fi rst time in your life. It is important to note that none of these brain systems exists in a vacuum. They are intricately interconnected. Whenever you affect one system, youre likely to affect the others as well. Also, some brain researchers would separate the systems differently than I lay them out in this book, placing the cingulate system and deep temporal lobes within the limbic system. I am presenting the system we use in my clinic, which has worked so well for our patients.