Mind Damage

The brain is a physical entity—a bundle of grey and white matter that controls the nervous system. We know what a brain looks like. Physicians can scan it and tell us when we have brain damage. The mind is different from the brain. It is not tangible. The mind is defined as the totality of conscious and unconscious mental processes and activities. Many of us deliberately cultivate toxic habits which harm our brains and minds.  

Some try to intentionally numb themselves with alcohol or recreational drugs—hoping to ‘black-out’ from reality for just a little while. Research shows that this common, socially acceptable habit can have negative long-term consequences. According to the National Institute of Health, alcohol can cause “brain-shrinkage” over time. “People who drink alcohol -- even the moderate amounts that help prevent heart disease--have a smaller brain volume than those who do not, according to a study in the Archives of Neurology.” (www.cnn.com)

Just as alcohol and drugs can cause physical brain damage, there are certain other toxic habits that may cause our minds to shrink.

Thinking often brings pain and discomfort. Most of us want to avoid pain, so we immerse ourselves in busy-ness or distractions. Most of us intentionally try not to think too deeply about things. We disconnect from conscious awareness as often as we can to avoid the discomfort that accompanies mindfulness. These frequent ‘block-outs’ can lead to mind damage. Remaining unconscious might be less painful in the short run, but it also impairs our ability to think rationally, thus making us more and more susceptible to delusions.

Thinking too little causes mind damage. On the other hand, exploring the deep recesses and dark corners of our mind, delving into the conscious and unconscious parts of the human psyche, continuous learning, and searching for answers that are slightly beyond our capacity—all expand the volume of our minds.

I’m often accused of thinking too much. In my opinion, there is no such thing as thinking too much; it would benefit our minds to THINK MORE.