The document summarizes information about the primitive, mammalian, and evolved parts of the human brain. It discusses how the primitive brain, including the reptilian brain, controls basic survival functions like breathing and temperature regulation. The mammalian brain allows for more complex functions and basic emotions. The evolved neocortex, which makes up 85% of the human brain, is responsible for rational and logical thought. It also discusses how early parts of the brain can still influence behaviors and emotions like anger when activated by stress, and how mindfulness can strengthen neuronal connections in the evolved brain.

1. Module 2
Primitive and Evolved Brain

2. Human
Development
and Evolution
of the Brain
• There is a great deal of evidence that we humans
slowly ascended from lower life forms to what we
are today, by way of the evolutionary impulse – the
energy and intelligence that gave rise to the
universe and is animating our bodies, minds, and
personalities in this very moment. Each
evolutionary change had to prove it’s worth by
surviving the continual battle for existence and this
process has gone on since the cosmos was created
out of ‘nothing’ – since the very beginning of time.

3. Anterior cingulate cortex
Insula
The brain is the organizational center of the broader
nervous system reaching all the organs of the human
body. The exciting and burgeoning field of
neuroscience, although still in its toddlerhood, is
wrestling with the enormous complexity of the human
brain.
The 2% difference
The DNA of a chimpanzee is 98% identical to our own
and most of the crucial 2% difference codes genes for
our brain. In other words, most of human evolution is
about one organ…the brain. Interestingly, some recent
research indicates that the difference involves the
human capacity for deeper relationships, empathy,
compassion and cooperation.

4. Some facts about the human brain
Size: approximately 3
lbs. of tofu like tissue.
Contains approximately
1.1 trillion brain cells
(neurons)
Contains approximately
100 billion "grey matter"
neurons
Activity: Always on- with
instant access to
information on demand
Consumes 20-25% of
body's blood flow,
oxygen, & glucose (fuel)
Speed: Neurons fire
approximately 5-50
times per second
Signals crossing your
brain travel in .10 of a
second
connectivity: Typical
neuron has 5000
connections with other
neurons
The average human
brain has approximately
500 trillion synapses
creating neuro-peptide-
chains (wirings)

5. The primitive brain in humans is a combination of the reptilian brain and the mammalian brain.
Reptilian brain- It’s the evolutionarily oldest and most primitive part of our brain. It is largely unchanged by evolution, and we
share it with all other animals that have a backbone. It maintains body functions required for sustaining life including breathing and
controlling body temperature.
At this level of evolution, behavior relating to survival of the species, such as sexual behavior, is instinctive, and responses are
automatic (example: alligators & crocodiles).
Their territory is acquired & defended through aggression. In other words, in the world of the reptilian brain – force, power, might
and strength determine success.

6. The next part of the human brain to evolve was the mammalian brain. A huge change took place as
mammals evolved from reptiles, the mammalian brain contains structures for the more complex
automatic management of body functions such as digestion, fluid balance, blood pressure, and
autonomic nervous system (ANS), as well as for storing new experiences as memory
(hippocampus). The capacity for some feelings about events was also developed in this part of the
brain (amygdala).
Mammals became more aware of themselves in relation to their environment. Millions of neural
pathways connect the hippocampus and amygdala structures to the brainstem allowing for
mammals to be somewhat less rigidly controlled by instincts. The feelings of anger and fear as well
as the ‘fight or flight’ response are now fully in place.
While the reptilian brain is used for basic
survival, ‘fight or flight’, basic human needs of
survival, physical protection, dominance, and
reproduction.
The mammalian brain is home of basic
emotions including anger and fear, as well as
some early aspects of personal identity and
various memory functions.
When we are angry, we are functioning out of
our primitive brain. We automatically &
impulsively react to punish, hurt, get back at,
or somehow be destructive to whoever is the
focus of our angry feelings.

7. What if many of the difficulties in your anger management could be explained by the automatic reaction in
your body to what’s happening around you?
Polyvagal theory- the study of the evolution of the human nervous system and the origins of brain
structures, and it assumes that more of our social behaviors and emotional disorders are “hard
wired” into what I call the Primitive Mind.
Shadow Materiel & the Primitive Brain
For many people, ‘shadow material’ (shame &
shadow) is consistently related to the
experience of anger.

9. Can you think of time when you were functioning out of the
primitive brain?

10. The evolved brain (Neocortex) is known for being
reasonable, rational, & logical.
It surrounds most the earlier brain and contains roughly 85% of
the human brain mass. This part of the brain includes primarily
the left & right hemispheres which are enclosed by an outer
layer and interconnected by a series of nerve fibers (corpus
collosum). It is divided into it’s cortical ‘hemispheres’ by a
prominent groove. The left hemisphere usually controls
movement and sensation in the right side of the body. The right
side similarly controls the left side of the body.

11. Difference between the Left and Right
Hemisphere of the brain
• The Left Hemisphere - neuronal
structures for: visual
communication; logical &
organizing abilities; ability to
focus on reality, detail, and local
phenomenon.
• The Right Hemisphere –
neuronal structure for: visual
communication (using mental
images); highly developed
spatial abilities, imaginative &
creative abilities; intuition, and
the ability to focus on feelings
& the ‘big picture’.

12. Can you think of a time when you were
functioning out of your evolved brain?

13. Neuroplasticity
• The ability of the brain to grow new neurons & rewire
itself including the pruning of unused pathways, which
neurologists and psychologists once believed impossible.
• When you focus your attention in particular ways, such
as mindfulness meditation practice for example, you are
activating the brain’s circuitry. This activation can fortify
the synaptic linkages between those specific regions of
the brain responsible for this intentional attention.

14. The 7 Conditions
Anxiety – complex combination of
fear, apprehension, and worry,
often accompanied by
uncomfortable physical
sensations.
Stress – A term for a wide range
of strong external stimuli, both
physical and psychological.
Drugs – Any substance that can
be used to modify a chemical
process in the body, for example
to treat an illness, relieve a
symptom, enhance a
performance or ability, or to alter
states of mind.
Alcohol – Almost always ethanol,
also known as grain alcohol, and
to any beverage that contains
ethanol.
Tired – Feeling of excessive
fatigue or lethargy, with a desire
to rest, perhaps t sleep.
Hungry – Applied literally to the
need or craving for food.
Sick or Ill – An actual physical,
pathophysiological process which
may cause an abnormal condition
of the body or mind.

15. The Big Question
• What do I need right now to be
OK, and to be healthy in the
long term?
*Homework: Anger Log