Our Mind is a Predicting Machine.

Hello Reader,

The year is 1998.

Saturday morning.

6:30 a.m.

“Wake up, dude! The morning cartoons are about to start, and I know how much you like watching your cartoons!” My mind tells me.

I remember when I was young, I would get up on a Saturday morning and watch cartoons. It filled me with excitement, happiness, and joy despite the fact of being tired and hungry. As I got older and studied the mind, I realized that my childhood taught me more about my mental health than I realized.

"Cartoons are amazing! Remember last week's show when the protagonist come out on top, and you were so excited and happy?! That was so cool!" My mind continues to tell me.

You see, in its simplest form, if we like something, we get the green light from our brain to continue with the task. If we do not like something, we get the red light and we strive to avoid or stop the situation from happening. Neurologically, the green light is the release of the feel-good proteins, dopamine, and serotonin. The red light is the release of the stress protein called cortisol. That sounds like a great way for our brain to work, right? Wrong!!!

In attempts to save energy, our brain then becomes a predicting machine by trying to help predict what it thinks will make us feel good and what it thinks will make us not feel good. The problem is the predictions our brain makes are not always healthy and/or accurate. A fallacy is created by our own mind, and we begin to have distorted thoughts and beliefs without even knowing it!!! Nooo!!! How could you do this to me, brain?!?!

6:45 a.m.

Predicting machine of a brain says, “In this moment, we like cartoons over food. Food is boring. Nothing exciting happens with food but if you watch cartoons, you’ll feel joy just like last time!” (Distorted thought and belief).

*Gets out of bed early*

*Sneaks into the living room and turns on the tv*

Results of behavior 1) Instant release of dopamine and serotonin (Cool, great!!!).

Results of behavior 2) Dismissing, avoiding, and ignoring basic needs to rest and eat (Unhealthy. Ouch…not cool).

In general, we crave instant gratification and strive to stay away from uncomfortable and anxiety provoking situations. Why is that? Well, the primitive part of our brain is doing its best to try to keep us safe while also trying to save energy. At times even to the detriment of what is healthy for us. You have betrayed me, brain!!!

7:25 a.m.

“Jonathan, it’s time to turn the tv off and eat!” (Cortisol increases!). Danger!!! It’s my parents. “They are always trying to take me away from my cartoons in which I receive dopamine and serotonin!” (Distorted way of thinking). “What horrible parents! Time to problem solve so I can keep receiving dopamine and serotonin” my mind begins to tell me. “Run away! No, not safe. Throw a tantrum! Yes, it worked last time so it must work this time” (Distorted way of thinking). I shout from the living room, “It’s almost finished! Gosh!”. My mind continues to distort my way of thinking and tells me in urgency, “If you miss this show, you’ll never be able to see it again!”

This is a similar battle we fight in our adult life each day. The difference is that our “child-self” often comes in the form of subconscious reactions, habits and/or in the form of negative intrusive thoughts. We tend to give that “child-self” power over the “healthy parent”. One area to assist in taking care of your mental health is identifying this “child-self” and becoming your own “healthy parent”. Now this is a skill that is easier said than done. We want to practice being the loving, supportive, and nurturing parent toward ourselves because again, our thoughts are not always accurate or healthy. Accepting that our thoughts and beliefs are not always healthy or accurate is a key part in therapy.

Key takeaways:

1) Your mind is a predicting machine.

2) These predictions come in the form of habits, reactions, and negative intrusive thoughts.

3) Due to this predicting machine, our brain can be inaccurate and contribute to distorted ways of thinking as well as unhealthy habits and beliefs.

Taking care of your mental health is a tall task. Each day is going to be different, but you deserve to be in a healthy mindset. Now, it’s your turn.

Your turn: How has your mind and its way of trying to predict the future helped you? How has it worked against you? What contributes to your “child self” emerging in your day? What unhealthy behaviors start to emerge when this “child self” comes up? What would a healthy parent say or do to support you through the issue?

As always, remember to be kind to yourself today.

Kindly,

Jonathan Montoya, LSWAIC, MHP