Think of your brain as a team of specialized workers. Sometimes, after facing a traumatic experience, certain workers become super sensitive, like they’ve been drinking too much coffee. These hyperactive workers can’t tell the difference between friend and foe, and even friendly faces become threatening to them! This makes you feel uncomfortable in social situations and makes it hard for you to find joy in connecting with others. It’s like when your alarm goes off on a Monday morning, and you’re so not ready for it – you avoid getting out of bed altogether! This avoidance behavior can even contribute to mental health problems. Luckily, researchers have discovered this phenomenon in the brain and are working to find ways to help those who struggle with trauma-related social difficulties. By understanding how these hyperactivated cells affect social reward processing, they hope to develop new strategies to promote healthy social connections and improve overall well-being. If you want to dive deeper into the fascinating research, check out the link below!
Past social trauma is encoded by a population of stress/threat-responsive brain cells that become hyperactivated during subsequent interaction with non-threatening social targets. As a consequence, previously rewarding social targets are now perceived as social threats, which promotes generalized social avoidance and impaired social reward processing that can contribute to psychiatric disorders.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.