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Neurobiology of Self-Regulation and The Power of The Mindful Coach

1. The document discusses the neurobiology of self-regulation and how the brain and nervous system underlie our ability to control behaviors and impulses. 2. It describes key brain structures involved in self-regulation like the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. 3. Research shows self-regulation depends on limited cognitive resources and willpower can become depleted like a muscle, making self-control more difficult without adequate rest and recovery. Mindful coaching may help strengthen self-regulation skills.

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Michael Burke
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47 views

Neurobiology of Self-Regulation and The Power of The Mindful Coach

1. The document discusses the neurobiology of self-regulation and how the brain and nervous system underlie our ability to control behaviors and impulses. 2. It describes key brain structures involved in self-regulation like the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. 3. Research shows self-regulation depends on limited cognitive resources and willpower can become depleted like a muscle, making self-control more difficult without adequate rest and recovery. Mindful coaching may help strengthen self-regulation skills.

Uploaded by

Michael Burke
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Neurobiology of self-

regulation
and the power of the
mindful coach
Learning objectives

At the end of the presentation the participants


will be able to…

• Describe some key anatomical structures


that underlie self regulation, change, and
empowerment

• Discuss research supporting the efficacy of a


mindful coach
• The nervous system is a
network of specialized
cells that communicate
information about an
organism and the
organism’s environment
• Processes the information
and coordinates reactions
in other parts of the
organism
1. The brain is the central
part of the nervous
system for vertebrates
and most invertebrates.
1. In vertebrates and most
invertebrates the brain is
the central part of the
nervous system.
2. The brain consists of a
collection of nerve cells
that process information.
1. In vertebrates and most
invertebrates the brain is
the central part of the
nervous system.
2. It is a collection of nerve
cells that process
information.
3. The most important
function of the brain is to
generate behaviors that
promote the welfare of an
organism.
How neurons communicate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSFQy_cLvLU
Wondrous evolving mechanisms to view the brain
Functional Magnetic Resonance Positron Emission tomography
Imaging (fMRI) (PET scan)
• Images blood flow to • Measures emissions from
region of the brain radioactively labeled
chemicals injected into the
• Current limit 2 mm bloodstream
• Can map neuro -transmitter
activity
The Brain
EVALUATE INPUT,
MAKE DECISIONS,
INHIBIT RESPONSES

Hypo/
pit
Autonomic
control
Brain & Behavior
It all comes together here
Frontal Lobe Parietal Lobe
Initiation Sense of touch
Problem solving Differentiation of size, color, shape
Judgment Spatial perception
Inhibition of behavior Visual perception
Planning/anticipation
Self-monitoring
Motor planning Occipital Lobe
Personality/emotions Visual perception and input
Awareness of abilities/limits Reading (perception and
Organization recognition of printed words)
Attention/concentration
Mental flexibility
Speaking Cerebellum
Coordination
Balance
Temporal Lobe Skilled motor activity

Memory Brain Stem


Hearing Breathing
Expressive and receptive language Heart rate
Comprehension of language Arousal/Consciousness
Musical awareness Sleep/wake functions
Organization &sequencing skills Attention/concentration
Different areas have somewhat
specific functions

Brainstem
Basic body
functions
Anatomy of Attentional Networks

James (1890) “Attention is the taking


possession of the mind in clear and
vivid form of one out of what seem
several simultaneous objects or
trains of thought”
Raz (2006)
• Alerting Network

• Orienting Network

• Conflict Network
Sympathetic Nervous system – get ready to rumble…

•Arouses the body

•‘fight or flight’

•Purpose is to
manage energy and
resources to meet
perceived demands
and challenges that
are an immediate
threat
There is a (much neglected) OFF system
The Parasympathetic Nervous System

•Calms the body

•Promotes enjoyment,
relaxation, digestion,
sexual arousal

•Purpose is to conserve
resources and allow
you to restore
resources and energy.
Balance and optimal performance
Stress, energy, and arousal
Optimal
P performance
E
R Depleted
F Under performing

O
R
M
A
N
C
E

STRESS LEVEL
chronic stress overload

The Sympathetic nervous system is built to


meet immediate and life threatening
demands

Most of the demands we face today are not


immediate

We get chronically stuck in the on position


Health effects from chronic stress overload

 Lowered immune response


 Coronary artery disease
 Insulin resistance
 Type II Diabetes
 Obesity
 Insomnia
 Chronic fatigue and chronic pain
 ……..
Behavioral effects from chronic
stress
• Impatience
• Anger
• Depression
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Difficulty concentrating
• Relationship difficulties
Self Regulation
Many studies show that Self control is a function predominately of PRC and ACC
The energy to self-regulate has a common and depletable energy store
• Emotional regulation
• Attentional control
• Impulse control
• Performance organization

Review anatomy

Self regulation as a muscle or resource that can be depleted

Discuss resolving conflicts between willpower and physiological determinism


Self regulation
Addic

Co
Control

Saliency Drive
Saliency D
Choose
Healthy
Behavior
Memory Me

Source: Adapted from Volkow et al., Neuropharmacology, 2004.


.
Tired Brain Circuits
Addicted Brain

Control

Contro
l

Allow
Saliency
Resist
Drive Impulsive
Saliency Driv Impulsive
Decision e Decisions

Memory Memory

Source: Adapted from Volkow et al., Neuropharmacology, 2004.


Examples
Two groups assigned to drink less alcohol
at a college alcohol party
• One, beforehand taken through a thought
suppression task
• Group not having suppression task more
able to drink less
Two groups being assigned to a frustration
task
• One asked to resist eating a sweet
beforehand, - gave up more easily
Two groups given a taxing task, one require
more attention
• Second group more likely to sit through a
boring movie rather than turn the channel.
Two groups asked to remember numbers
• - group asked to remember 2 numbers
more able to resist sweet more than group
asked to remember 7 numbers
Delay discounting and future
reward imagery
Subjects evaluated for their specific
delay discounting thresholds
Given choices of near rewards and
latter rewards
Episodically asked to recall self
selected (different) future rewards
activated medial and lateral
prefrontal cortex and reduced
impulsivity
Translating research to practice

Keep attuned to neuro-psych developments

Engage patients with growing knowledge

Use coaching skills to


• elicit patient’s motivations and skills for
positive change
• future health imagery,
• ways of resting and strengthening self
regulation ‘muscles’
References

Koob GF and Volkow ND. Neurocircuitry of Addiction.


Neuropsychopharmacology reviews. 35 (2010) 217-38.
Ferguson SG and Shiffman S. The relevance and treatment
of cue-induced cravings in tobacco dependence. Journal of
Substance Abuse Treatment 36 (2009) 235-43.
Gailliot MT, and Baumeister RF The physiology of
willpower: Linking blood glucose to self-control.
Personality and Social Psychology Review. 11 (2007) 303-
27.
Volkow et. Al. Cognitive control of drug craving inhibits
brain reward regions in cocaine abusers. NeuroImage 49
(2010) 2536-43.’\
The Frontal Cortex http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/

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