Somatic Experience and Genetic Influences on Thinking Styles

How do you make somatic experience something you remember and learn from? Somatic experience is a process that involves the body as a means of processing emotions and trauma. While individual practice is possible, having a trained therapist can help you customize your approach, ensuring a safer and more effective healing journey.

A 5-Step Somatic Exercise

Notice: Inhale and exhale deeply, bringing your awareness to your breath and body. Identify: Identify the specific point in time and/or the part of your body that began to feel disturbed or stressed. Replay: Visualize the scenario in slow motion, moving from a calm state to a stressed state. Imagine yourself as a spectator, watching the event unfold. Healing Hands: Use your hands to help soothe and release any physical tension you notice in the body. Tune In: Return to your breath and allow the experience to settle as you integrate the insights gained.

In the field of neuroscience, there's a fascinating connection between our genetic makeup and our thinking styles. This relationship is explored through the study of somatic experiences and the mind's role in processing emotions.

Genetic Hardwiring and Thinking Styles

The genetic code that shapes our bodies also influences our minds, as discovered by Kari Stefansson, a prominent scientist from deCode genetics. He has shared this information in an interview with the BBC.

According to How our genes shape our bodies, our minds and our personalities, individuals with a genetic tendency towards obesity are more likely to think visually and spatially. This visual/spatial thinking is less likely to be verbalized and thus less prone to mental illnesses. However, it is less likely to be curious or creative but also less likely to suffer from certain mental illnesses.

This differentiation in thinking styles is rooted in the brain's default mode network, where the precuneus plays a crucial role. This region is responsible for both verbal and visual/spatial thinking, which are processed in different hemispheres of the brain.

The key takeaway is that genetic factors can influence our thinking patterns, which in turn affect our general well-being. For instance, those who are genetically predisposed to obesity may develop a mind that is more visual/spatial in nature. This thinking style can lead to less curiosity and creativity, but also less likelihood of mental illnesses.

Conversely, individuals with a higher verbal thinking ability are less likely to have the gene for obesity and are thus less likely to suffer from obesity-related illnesses. They are, however, more curious and creative, and more likely to experience mental illnesses.

The balance between visual/spatial and verbal thinking is a critical aspect of our mind's overall functioning. Understanding these genetic hardwiring patterns can help us navigate the complexities of our minds and bodies, fostering a more holistic approach to health and well-being.

In essence, the mind and body are interconnected, and this connection is governed by our genetic makeup. By embracing somatic experiences and understanding the genetic influences on our thinking styles, we can better understand ourselves and improve our overall health and emotional resilience.