How the Brain Regulates Emotions & Impulses (E189)

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If your mind gets stuck on cravings to drink and you can’t redirect, then you’re more likely to white knuckle it until the craving becomes so intense that you drink. If your mind gets stuck on negative thoughts, jealousy, or unfairness, then you’re going to ruminate until you become more depressed or you retaliate. In this episode, I’m explaining what is going on in the brain to cause our thoughts to become stuck on something, why other people are able to redirect and move on, and what you can do to start improving your inhibitory control.

Episode 189 takeaways:

• Rumination and getting stuck on negative thoughts or cravings can lead to self-destructive behaviors.

• The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in regulating emotions and inhibitory control.

• Alcohol addiction can impair the functioning of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

• Exercise can have positive effects on brain structure and function, including strengthening inhibitory control.

• Developing awareness and learning coping skills can help regulate emotions and make proactive decisions.

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Disclaimer: all of the information described in this podcast is my interpretation of the research combined with my opinion. This is not medical advice.

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Cite this episode:

Gillian Tietz. How the Brain Regulates Emotions & Impulses (E189). Sober Powered Podcast. 2024

Please respect my intellectual property and properly credit me if you share my work.

Sources

1. Olga M. Klimecki, David Sander, Patrik Vuilleumier. Distinct Brain Areas involved in Anger versus Punishment during Social Interactions. Scientific Reports, 2018; 8 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28863-3

2. Beylergil, S. et al. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex contributes to the impaired behavioral adaptation in alcohol dependence. NeuroImage Clinical. 2018. 15:80-94.

3. Yuan, S., Ding, C., Yang, W. et al. Gray matter volume of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex moderates the relationship between rumination and depressed mood. Curr Psychol 39, 1116–1125 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-0048-8

4. Byun, K., Hyodo, K., Suwabe, K. et al. Mild exercise improves executive function with increasing neural efficiency in the prefrontal cortex of older adults. GeroScience (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-023-00816-3