Kindness Protects The Brain
Have you ever heard that kindness protects the brain? How does this happen? To understand this relationship, let’s talk a little bit about goodness, brain functioning, and the relationship between them.
It is not easy to define what goodness is. This word has to do with empathy and solidarity, but it is not limited to that. It is not just a characteristic, but also a human quality. This means that it goes beyond a skill, because it is enriched by an ethical decision.
Kindness is defined by the dictionary as an inclination to do good. The problem is that “the good” is a very relative concept. A more accurate definition would be to say that kindness is the ability to feel compassion. In other words, feel the suffering of others as one’s own and strive to help.
This beautiful virtue does not only apply to other human beings. Kindness is also expressed in relation to all living beings. It would also apply to everything that exists, insofar as it implies an urge to preserve what is, how it is. There is kindness, then, in front of a painting, or a stone lying on the road.
Kindness is a superior virtue because it involves many other virtues. Within it reside love, respect, brotherhood, generosity and many others. This also implies a remarkable spiritual and mental evolution. Thanks to several studies, it has also been shown to be an ability located in the brain and is the basis for a meaningful quality of life.
the brain area of kindness
A group of scientists at Oxford University and University College London have identified an area of the brain that appears to be related to kindness. The team, led by Dr. Patricia Lockwood, worked with a group of volunteers. They were asked to find out which symbols were useful to them and which symbols were useful to others.
While the volunteers performed this work, their brains were monitored by MRI. The experiment induced the people studied to ponder and evaluate how the symbols could help other people. They had to determine whether each symbol was just for them or if it was also useful to others.
When each volunteer saw how the symbol helped others, only one area of the brain was activated. This area is called the anterior cingulate cortex. Of course, kindness is not just a matter of brain functioning. Remember that this wonderful organ has enormous plasticity and it is the experiences and behaviors that shape its functioning.
kindness protects the brain
Neuropsychologist Richard Davidson conducted research at the University of Wisconsin. He did this after a trip to India. In 1992, he met the Dalai Lama, who asked him a question and left a lasting impression on this researcher: “I admire your work, but I consider that you are very focused on stress, anxiety and depression. What do you think about focusing your studies on kindness, tenderness and compassion?”
Richard Davidson has done several studies around this issue. He pointed out, for example, that some brain structures can change in just two hours. A calm mind produces general well-being. And to achieve a calm mind you only need a few hours of meditation. This has been scientifically proven in your laboratory.
He also found that the neural circuits of empathy are not the same as those of compassion. In order to reach compassion, another form of kindness, it is necessary to go through the path of sensitivity, sympathy and empathy. Compassion is on a higher level. It is a step beyond the ability to perceive, feel and understand the suffering of another. It is a call to action in the face of others’ suffering.
His study also proved that kindness and tenderness enhance well-being in different areas of life. In a study of children and teenagers, several brain changes were shown when they were taught to be more compassionate and tender. All showed better school performance and improved health. The ability to be compassionate can be trained. Kindness protects the brain and is the result of deep inner work.
