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Leaning forward into adversity takes courage. Research now shows that the brain may actually reward this courage. Following ongoing research is exciting as the scientific community learns more about our brains, bodies, and the healing process. In this interview, neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman who specializes in vision and stress research, explains that when we step forward to encounter the world by walking, our eyes move laterally back and forth to help guide us through space. Dr. Huberman suggests that this act of stepping forward or moving into stressful situations in a positive way, often paired with lateral eye movements, may help resolve our stress response. Huberman illustrates that the brain responds to this “moving forward” by suppressing activity in the amygdala (the fear or alarm center of our brain) and signaling to the reward areas of our brain to release dopamine (a neurotransmitter that plays a role in how we experience pleasure). So, our brains may actually reward us when we confront stress in adaptive ways in our lives. This idea is important when considering courage and hope for a better outcome in any therapy.

In this 5 minute video clip of that larger conversation, Dr. Huberman also mentions Francine Shapiro and cites research regarding the role of eye movements in EMDR therapy (eye movements are one form of dual attention stimulus used in EMDR therapy). He points to several research studies showing that “lateralized eye movements quiet the amygdala.” In trauma therapy, it is understandable that quieting the fear center of the brain is beneficial when facing an overwhelming memory. Moving forward or creating the idea that we are moving forward with lateral eye movements in EMDR therapy, may create distance from the negative emotions of a traumatic experience and reward someone for leaning into difficulty. These ideas are fascinating as we continue to uncover what the brain and body have to tell us about the journey of healing from trauma.

Video clip highlighting EMDR therapy (5 min)

Full interview with Tom Bilyeu and Dr. Andrew Huberman 

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Relevant Articles:

Baek, J., Lee, S., Cho, T., Kim, S., Kim, M., Yoon, Y., Kim, K. K., Byun, J., Kim, S. J., Jeong, J. & Shin, H. (2019). Neural circuits underlying a psychotherapeutic regimen for fear disorders. Nature, 566, 339-343. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-0931-y

Cuijpers, P., van Veen, S. C., Sijbrandij, M., Yoder, W., & Cristea, I. A. (2019). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2019.1703801

de Voogd, L. D., Kanen, J. W., Neville, D. A., Roelofs, K., Fernandez, G., and Hermans, E. J. (2018). Eye-movement intervention enhances extinction via amygdala deactivation. Journal of Neuroscience, 38(40), 8694-8706. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0703-18.2018

de Voogd, L. D., & Phelps, E. A. (2020). A cognitively demanding working-memory intervention enhances extinction. Nature Scientific Reports, 10, 7020. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63811-0

Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2014). What does the data say about the importance of eye movement in EMDR? Journal of Behavior Therapy and Exposure Psychiatry, 45(1), 226-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2013.10.002

Salay, L. D., Ishiko, N., & Huberman, A. D. (2018). A midline thalamic circuit determines reactions to visual threat. Nature, 557, 183-189. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0078-2 

Shapiro, F. (2014). The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: Addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), 71-77. Open access: https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/13-098

 

 

 

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