Your brain is not for thinking – it’s for survival and balance

When most of us think about the brain, we tend to associate it with thinking—solving problems, making decisions, or engaging in intellectual discussions. However, according to Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett in her chapter ‘Your Brain Is Not for Thinking’ from Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain, thinking is not the brain’s most fundamental function.

In fact, the brain’s primary function, from an evolutionary and developmental perspective, is to ensure our survival by managing the body’s resources—a process she refers to as maintaining the body budget.

In this article, I focus on this key concept from the first part of Dr Barrett’s book. For a deeper understanding of how the brain works, I highly recommend reading the full book, where Dr Barrett explores additional fascinating insights into the brain’s role in our functioning.

To read the rest of the article I have written for Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, visit their website.