What are thoughts?
According to cognitive science, a thought is a mental process where our brain takes in information, processes it, and forms an idea, image, or understanding.
Basically, thoughts are the engine that can shape our lives.
Without thoughts we cannot plan, we cannot problem solve, we cannot daydream …
Our thoughts come from different parts of the brain working together. When we experience something, our senses gather information and send it to the brain as signals.
The brain then mixes this new information with our memories, emotions, and ongoing thinking.
In a nutshell, our brain constantly combines what we see, hear, and feel with what we already know to form our thoughts.
In this newsletter edition we are bringing together some research on thoughts.
Did You Know We Have More than 6,000 Thoughts Per Day?
Research indicates that we have over 6,000 thoughts daily.
However, a common misconception suggests we have around 60,000 thoughts per day, a figure not supported by scientific evidence.
A study led by Dr. Jordan Poppenk and his master’s student, Julie Tseng, at Queen’s University provides a more accurate understanding of our thought processes through the concept of Thought Worms.
Dr. Poppenk and Tseng introduced the concept of “thought worms,” which represent consecutive moments when an individual focuses on the same idea.
Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), they tracked these thought worms by mapping distinct patterns of brain activity.
Each new thought corresponds to a unique point in the brain’s activity pattern which allows researchers to detect transitions between thoughts.
Why is This Important?
Our minds are constantly shifting between thoughts, but we’re unaware of most of them. The thought worms research by Dr. Jordan Poppenk and Julie Tseng shows how often these shifts happen, giving us a glimpse into the flow of our minds.
Here’s where negativity bias comes in. Our brains are wired to focus on problems and worst-case scenarios for survival.
This means many of these unnoticed thoughts lean toward worry, doubt, or fear. Without realizing it, we may be stuck in loops of negative thinking.
But awareness is power. The more we understand how our minds work, the better we can catch these patterns, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and shift toward a more balanced mindset.
Not every thought deserves our attention, so why not be intentional about which ones we listen to?
How Your Brain Blocks Unwanted Thoughts
Ever had a thought that just wouldn’t leave you alone?
Maybe it was something embarrassing you said years ago, or a worry that keeps creeping in at the worst moments.
It turns out, our brains have a built-in system to shut down intrusive thoughts – but sometimes, that system doesn’t work as well as it should.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) plays a key role in suppressing unwanted thoughts.
GABA is the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it helps calm neural activity. The study found that individuals with higher levels of GABA in the hippocampus (the brain’s memory center) were better at stopping intrusive thoughts.
This breakthrough helps explain why people with anxiety, PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia often experience persistent, distressing thoughts.
These conditions are linked to impaired inhibitory control, meaning the brain struggles to shut down unwanted thoughts, memories, or worries.
Why Is This Important?
Your brain isn’t just a storage unit for memories, it’s actively managing which thoughts surface and which get filtered out.
If you’ve ever struggled with intrusive thoughts (whether it’s worrying about the future, replaying past mistakes, or dealing with unwanted memories) this research can help explain why that happens.
The ability to mentally “hit the brakes” depends on how well the brain can regulate thought processes, and GABA plays a critical role in this.
In short, the way we think is shaped by our brain chemistry.
How You Can Enhance GABA Activity?
Slow, controlled breathing (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing) can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which enhances GABA activity.
Aerobic exercise (like walking, running, or yoga) boosts GABA production and helps regulate stress responses.
How Your Brain Filters Out Distractions to Focus
Ever walk into a room and instantly forget why you’re there? Or try to focus on a conversation but get distracted by everything else happening around you? … your brain is constantly sorting through information to keep you on track.
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology discovered that our brains use different frequencies of gamma waves to separate important details from background noise.
Slow gamma waves help recall memories, while fast gamma waves process what’s happening around us.
This natural “tuning system” allows us to block out distractions and focus on the task at hand.
Why is This Important?
If your thoughts feel chaotic, pause and become aware of them – are you stuck in past memories, or are you focused on the present?
If you need clarity, remove distractions and consciously direct your attention to one thing at a time.
Understanding how your brain filters thoughts helps you take charge of them, so you’re not just reacting to whatever pops into your mind but actively shaping what you think about.
Final Thoughts (Pun Intended)
“There’s nothing in this world that can hurt you as much as your thoughts … There’s nothing in this world that can heal you as much as your thoughts”
(Anonymous)
source https://getreconnected.ca/february-2025-get-reconnected-newsletter-insights-on-thoughts/
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