Digital photography. Limited edition prints size 106 x 106 cm, 70 x 70 cm
Our brain reflects the entire process of evolution of the nervous system on our planet. The neocortex, its newest part and our main human advantage, is superimposed on much older limbic system, and, in turn, on an even more ancient reptilian brain. The limbic system first appeared in mammals, allowing them, unlike reptiles, to experience a wide range of emotions.
There are only 8 basic emotions: surprise, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, interest and joy. They are the same for all people. These are 8 basic ingredients that we mix to our own taste, creating feelings. A feeling is a complex combination of several emotions directed at an object, concept or situation. Unlike a situational fleeting emotion, it is individual and can last for a long time. Experiences are emotions generated by memories or imagination. After all, our body does not care where the event takes place: in reality or in imagination. Mood is a background emotion. It can last endlessly long unnoticed by our consciousness. Emotions allow organisms to survive, quickly reacting to changing conditions and situations. They occur when the nervous system decides that this moment requires the body to be ready for a certain action. The limbic system produces hormones and neurotransmitters that immediately enter the bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body. The cells of the body receive this chemical signal through receptors and in response start the synthesis of proteins in DNA that change their metabolism. Only at this moment do we feel the emotion in our body.
With the emergence and development of the neocortex, the nervous system received the ability to control the automatic reaction of the body. When the body has already gone into response mode, we can refrain from an action if it is undesirable. But no matter how much we want it, the emotion will cause tension in the tissues and nervous system anyway. Without proper release, this tension encapsulates, blocking certain muscles in the body and leaving nerve cells permanently excited. Over time these tensions will form "muscular armor", impeding movement and thinking, interfering with the immune system and proper nutrition of cells. Our nervous system binds to our memories all the data from the sense organs, events and phenomena accompanying it. Thus, the assessment of the situation and the resulting emotion are influenced not only by similar events, but also by random coincidences: a similar place, a similar smell, clothes, facial features, or sounds. Therefore, in some people, the psyche is like a minefield that can explode at any moment from anything. Anything can be a trigger. The blue corridor may evoke the horror of the first visit to the dentist. The more often we experience a certain negative emotion, the more nerve cells lead to it, the easier and faster it is activated. It becomes a mood in life. When this emotion becomes dominant, it captures our perception, thoughts, and actions, changing the biochemistry of our bodies. A permanent hormonal cocktail causes the cells of the body to get used to its presence, and in the future it will demand a new dose. The assessment of situations is distorted and more and more often we unconsciously immerse ourselves in situations that cause this emotion. This is very noticeable in the elderly, when the emotion is already literally imprinted in the facial expression and body shape. Conditioned by emotions mind creates drama around itself and perceives everything that happens through the prism of the past. Thus, It becomes the master of the present and repeats itself in the future.
With the emergence and development of the neocortex, the nervous system received the ability to control the automatic reaction of the body. When the body has already gone into response mode, we can refrain from an action if it is undesirable. But no matter how much we want it, the emotion will cause tension in the tissues and nervous system anyway. Without proper release, this tension encapsulates, blocking certain muscles in the body and leaving nerve cells permanently excited. Over time these tensions will form "muscular armor", impeding movement and thinking, interfering with the immune system and proper nutrition of cells. Our nervous system binds to our memories all the data from the sense organs, events and phenomena accompanying it. Thus, the assessment of the situation and the resulting emotion are influenced not only by similar events, but also by random coincidences: a similar place, a similar smell, clothes, facial features, or sounds. Therefore, in some people, the psyche is like a minefield that can explode at any moment from anything. Anything can be a trigger. The blue corridor may evoke the horror of the first visit to the dentist. The more often we experience a certain negative emotion, the more nerve cells lead to it, the easier and faster it is activated. It becomes a mood in life. When this emotion becomes dominant, it captures our perception, thoughts, and actions, changing the biochemistry of our bodies. A permanent hormonal cocktail causes the cells of the body to get used to its presence, and in the future it will demand a new dose. The assessment of situations is distorted and more and more often we unconsciously immerse ourselves in situations that cause this emotion. This is very noticeable in the elderly, when the emotion is already literally imprinted in the facial expression and body shape. Conditioned by emotions mind creates drama around itself and perceives everything that happens through the prism of the past. Thus, It becomes the master of the present and repeats itself in the future.