Decision - what drives your choices?
Human beings make hundreds of choices daily. Many of these decisions focus on when and whether we should quit.
When do you give up? When do you persist? What makes you make these choices in any case?
Every decision we make is a battle. A battle between impulse and control. Between fear and courage. Between action and inaction.
Our brain decides. But how?
In one word, neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers shape our choices. Dopamine drives us toward rewards. Serotonin keeps us balanced. But the one that makes us persist is GABA or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid.
The brain’s brake system.
When life gets overwhelming, GABA slows things down. It stops the noise. Reduces anxiety. Keeps us from panicking.
Scientists conducted a study on mice to test the effect of the different neurotransmitters. The scientists supressed GABA in the mice. The mice persisted for longer than those whose neurotransmitters were not suppressed.
It may seem counterintuitive, but we need balance. Not too much, not too little. Even for neurotransmitters.
Imagine a tightrope walker. Too much fear, and they freeze. Too little, and they fall. Balance is key.
GABA provides that balance. It keeps emotions in check. It allows us to think before we act. To push forward when things get hard.
Without enough GABA, decisions become erratic. The mind jumps from thought to thought. Fear takes over. Doubt creeps in. Persistence fades.
But with GABA in control, we hold steady. Push through failures, we can resist distractions. We make better choices.
So how can you increase GABA?
Breathe. Slow, deep breaths activate the production of GABA. Meditation helps. So does exercise. Sleep is wonderful at restoring your levels. Consuming magnesium and B6 also helps.
Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain
