Brain basics

The brain is split into two sides, or hemispheres, the left and the right. These two sides are connected by a thin structure called the corpus callosum. Each side of the brain is responsible for specific functions.

Left hemisphere:

• Controls the right side of the body

• Responsible for the three L’s: logic, language and linear thought

Right hemisphere:

• Controls the left side of the body

• Creativity, imagination

Three parts of the brain

• Brain stem

  • Responsible for basic functions of survival

  • Controls automatic body functions, such as breathing, blinking, etc.

• Emotional brain

  • All living creatures have this part of the brain

  • Responsible for emotions and body sensations

  • Houses the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

    • Sympathetic nervous system is also known as our fight or flight response

    • Parasympathetic nervous system calms us back down

• Prefrontal Cortex

  • Only humans have this part of the brain

  • Responsible for higher order functions, such as judgment, reasoning, planning, impulse control, etc.

  • Finishes developing around age 25

    • This means our ability to regulate emotions is not fully developed until then!

  • Shuts off while experiencing trauma