Let’s Talk About … Brain Chemistry

Let’s Talk About … Brain Chemistry

With Nicole Hawkins, PhD, CEDS-S

Researchers have long known that affirmations can decrease stress, increase well being and improve academic performance. We now know that affirmations can also change our brain! Christopher Cascio and colleagues from University of Pennsylvania used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and found that self-affirmations activate well-known reward centers in the brain. These areas —the ventral striatum (VS) and ventrimedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) —are the same reward centers that respond to other pleasurable experiences, such as winning a prize or performing well on a test. Specifically, the researchers found when participants were focusing on future positive affirmations while their brains were being scanned, these areas had increased activity. What are future focused self-affirmations? These are statements that affirm one’s self-worth by having individuals reflect on core values and on what type of person they want to strive to be in the future.

Some examples:

Today, I abandon my old habits and take up new positive ones.
I love and accept myself and my body.
I am worthy of great things.
I like the person I’m becoming.
The past has no power over me anymore.
I am in charge of my life story. I will be a better me.
Every day, in every way, I am getting better.

Practice daily affirmations, you are worth it and you deserve recovery and a better you.