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How your brain actually works
This Might Surprise You ...
Your brain isn’t just reacting to the world, it’s constantly predicting what will happen next.
Here is an example of how it works:
Have you ever been alone in the dark and heard a sudden noise?
That rush of adrenaline?
That’s your brain predicting danger and preparing you to deal with it before you even know if there is any danger.
Your brain is predicting (and changing your chemistry)
in all kinds of situations.
It happens at work, with your loved ones, doing sports, .. in fact everywhere
and this explains:
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why you feel the way you do (including the sudden changes)?
and it explains
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why you react the way you react?
And sometimes the results you get, are not quite what you hoped for ..
Lisa Feldman Barrett, is among the top 0.1% most cited scientists in the world for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience.
She is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University. She also holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior.
The Prediciting Brain and
THE LEADING
SCIENTISTS
in the world
Anil Kumar Seth, a British neuroscientist and professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex.
He is currently amongst the most cited scholars on the topics of neuroscience and cognitive science globally
Andy Clarke, is Professor of Cognitive Philosophy at the University of Sussex. Prior to this, he was a professor of philosophy and Chair in Logic and Metaphysics at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland
Director of the Cognitive Science Program at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and previously taught at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Ever heard someone say "Everyone is different"?
and it's a fact of Science
Everyone is different
But some people don't understand that >>
and some don't understand the following ..
What makes each of us so uniquely different?
Brain Structure
Individual experiences shape each person’s neural wiring differently, especially in areas related to memory, emotion, and decision-making.
Genetics
Each person has a unique genetic code, influencing our behaviour, cognitive abilities, and susceptibility to certain conditions.
Social Influences
Family, friends, and culture shape beliefs, behaviors, and communication styles uniquely.
Life Experiences
Personal histories affect how we interpret the world, make decisions, and respond to challenges.
Emotions and Responses
Emotional processing and reactions vary due to differences in neurochemistry and past experiences.
Physical Health
Nutritional intake, hydration, caffeine consumption, and hormonal changes all influence mood, energy, and cognitive performance.
Memory
Memories are stored and recalled differently, influencing personal biases, motivations, and perspectives.
External Factors
Environment, current events, and immediate surroundings influence our perceptions, stress levels, and responses in the moment.
Sleep
Quality and duration of sleep vary, affecting cognitive performance and mood.
Learning and Adaptability
Each person’s brain plasticity allows for unique abilities to learn and adapt over time.
Sense of humor
Did you grow up in an culture where you learned to use humor to get over bad things or maybe in a culture of making fun of others?
Your accountability
Did you learn that YOU are accountable for the consequences of your actions?
and how to live well with this knowledge?
Why is this important?
Because when they don't understand that everyone is uniquely different, they DON'T understand YOU
The science above should give you a good idea of just how complex
and UNIQUELY different everyone is, including you
In all this complexity I give you the power of:
uniquely adjusted, EASY to use AND science-backed solutions
I optimize the Human Mind,
so you get the life you want
Sounds useful?
Can I change your situation?
YES. You are FAR MORE capable of change than what was previously know.
I bring you Neuroplasticity:
You can improve your mind. Humans are amazing at adapting and we can train our minds to master changes
"What are the key elements for change to be successful?"
Remember the Lisa Feldmann Barret video from the beginning?
You can either try to FIGHT YOUR OWN BRAIN or you can WORK WITH IT.
What I recommend is working with it, it's FAR more efficient.
So how do you do that?
Since your brain is constantly using memories to create your current experience, I optimize the memories so they make your life better. Makes sense?
Yes, Memories can be rewritten.
What does science say about the effect of that?
Meaning of the science paper:
When done right,
it is a clear positive that adds more benefits with time
Do some people abuse this?
Yes .. ever heard of "Gaslighting"?
Some people try to change your memories but distorting reality. Saying things like "That is not what I said" when you KNOW they did
This happens more often than you'd think and it is often used by ..
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Manipulative people — and certain politicians
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Narcissists, abusers
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pedlers of 'alternative facts'
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shady salespeople
and others, intentionally plant ideas to distort your memories and emotions for their gain.
This worsens your emotional state and leaves you vulnerable to further manipulation.
So what can you do?
Here is an approach that safeguards you.
Memory Effect Optimization M.E.O.
How Emotions are made
Here is an even more comprehensive list of the leading scientists in this field
Karl Friston
Publications:
"The free-energy principle: a unified brain theory?"
"A theory of cortical responses"
Friston introduced the free-energy principle, which underpins predictive coding by proposing that the brain minimizes surprise by predicting sensory inputs.
His work is foundational to the predictive brain framework.
Andy Clark
Publications:
"Whatever next? Predictive brains, situated agents, and the future of cognitive science"
"Surfing Uncertainty: Prediction, Action, and the Embodied Mind" (2016)
Clark explores the implications of predictive processing for perception, action, and cognition, emphasizing the brain's role in creating predictions that guide behavior.
Jakob Hohwy
Publications:
"The Predictive Mind" (2013)
Hohwy provides a philosophical account of predictive coding, focusing on how the brain's predictions shape perception and experience.
And here a little fun side note:
Jakob Hohwy and I used to play basketball together.
Lisa Feldman Barrett
Publications:
"How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain" (2017)
"Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain" (2020)
"The theory of constructed emotion: an active inference account of interoception and categorization" (2017)
Barrett integrates predictive processing with her theory of constructed emotion, arguing that emotions are predictions based on interoception and prior experience, rather than innate reactions.
Anil Seth
Publications:
"Predictive Processing and Consciousness"
"Being You: A New Science of Consciousness" (2021)
Seth connects predictive processing with the study of consciousness, highlighting how the brain uses predictions to shape perception, self-awareness, and emotions.
Rao R.P.N. and Dana H. Ballard
Publication:
"Predictive coding in the visual cortex: a functional interpretation of some extra-classical receptive-field effects"
This work investigates predictive coding as an efficient strategy for processing visual information in the cortex.
Floris de Lange
Publication:
"How Do Expectations Shape Perception?"
De Lange focuses on how prior knowledge and expectations influence perception, shedding light on the predictive mechanisms of the brain.
Read Montague
Publication:
"The predictive brain: Temporal coincidence and temporal order in synaptic learning mechanisms"
Montague studies the role of prediction in learning and neural processing, particularly how the brain learns temporal patterns.
Peter Dayan
Publication:
"The Helmholtz Machine"Dayan co-developed the Helmholtz Machine, a computational model incorporating principles of predictive coding.
Geoffrey Hinton
Publication:
"Autoencoders, minimum description length, and Helmholtz free energy"
Hinton applies concepts from predictive coding to artificial neural networks, advancing our understanding of the brain's computational mechanisms.
Murray Shanahan
Publication:
"The brain's connective core and its role in animal cognition"
Shanahan explores the structural and functional connectivity that supports predictive processing in the brain.
Summary:
This comprehensive list highlights the interdisciplinary nature of predictive brain theory, with contributions spanning neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling.
Each of these researchers has advanced our understanding of how the brain predicts, interprets, and adapts to the world, shaping perceptions, actions, and emotions.
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