New maps of brain circuitry tell us that the brain is affected by our emotions in two ways: First, signals travel from the first brain to the rational brain and then back to the emotional brain whenever we mull something over for a while and become increasingly angry, determined, or hurt. The "mulling over" allows us to receive more precise data and this leads to good decision-making and more effective actions.
The second pathway is the route the signal takes as it travels to the emotional brain before going to the rational brain. This occurs when there is an immediate and powerful recognition of a specific experience as the emotional brain makes an association with some past event; we react strongly to something without really knowing why.
The brain seems to have one memory system for ordinary facts, and another for emotionally charged events. Emotional events appear to open additional neural pathways that make them stronger in our minds, which may explain why we never forget significant events. Occasionally we are propelled into action on the basis of these few rough signals before we get confirmation from the thinking brain. We have a rational brain that keeps us from being overpowered by strong emotional reactions, but the emotional brain should not be completely overshadowed by the rational one. The key is balance.
Additional conclusions from neuroscience:
Chemical information substances, or peptides, regulate blood flow. Blood carries glucose, the brain's fuel which is necessary for the brain to function. Blocking of emotions through trauma or denial can slow down this process, depriving the brain of nourishment and leaving it less able to think, plan, and make decisions.
Electrical stimulation of the limbic area of the brain results in powerful emotional displays accompanied by bodily movement such as laughter or weeping; these displays of emotion are based on stored memories.
Our brains are composed of a huge number of neural pathways and connections, making possible many subtleties of emotion and response. Emotions all have a purpose, even anger, grief, and anxiety. Denying these emotions sets up detectable molecular blockages that cause actual changes in cells: this can result in widespread physical and emotional damage over time. The peptides or chemical information substances flow more freely when we allow ourselves to express emotions such as joy or hope.
Research in psychoneuroimmunology has shown conclusively that there is a direct link between what we think and feel and what is actually going on in our physical bodies. Our emotional and cognitive responses to events in life affect our health and our energy level — essential factors in working up to capacity.
The term "gut reaction" can be taken literally: Our digestive tracts are particularly dense with chemical information molecules and receptors. Chemical activity is triggered by — you guessed it — strong emotions.
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