How positive and negative thoughts effect us and our brain

How positive and negative thoughts effect us and our brain

How positive and negative thoughts effect us and our brain. Every thought releases some type of chemical in our brain. Positive thoughts do way more for us, than only make us feel good. It changes the way our brain works and makes us smarter, faster and mentally more alert. 

Positive thinking decreases cortisol and increases our serotonin levels, the hormone which makes us feel good. Positive thoughts support brain growth, as well as the generation and reinforcement of new synapses, especially in our prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is the integration center of all of our brain-mind functions. Happy thoughts enhance mental functions such as: 

• Creative thinking
• Cognitive flexibility
• The ability to think and analyze incoming data, through which we process everything faster
• The attention span and the ability to solve problems quicker.

Positive thoughts also change our perception and focus on more of the “we” instead of the “me”. Through that the quality of our relationships naturally becomes better .

The PFC allows us to control our emotions and behavior. It also helps us to focus on whatever goals we choose to pursue and gives us the ability to gain insight about our thought processes. And the PFC helps us grow as a human being, change what we wish to change, and live life the way we decide.

Negative thoughts create cortisol and adrenalin, which make us feel stressed and anxious.

When we’re stressed or scared it’s difficult to process new things and think creatively. Negative thoughts slow down our brains, which makes it difficult to process thoughts and find solutions. 

They hinder our creative ability and impacts the left temporal lobe, which is responsible for our fear system. Our fear system affects our mood, memory and our impulse control. 

When our fear system is active, we tend to react emotionally, instead of acting thoughtful.