Explore the fascination of the brain

Limbic System

The limbic system, situated approximately in the center of the brain, consists of various organs. It is involved in rapid unconscious processing, instinctive behaviors deep-seated emotions, and basic impulses such as anger, pleasure, and general survival. It has the power to override the executive function of the pre-frontal cortex. The limbic system consists of the amygdala, hypothalamus, thalamus among others.

Pre-frontal Cortex

The pre-frontal cortex is situated in the front part of the brain. As the “CEO” of the brain it performs mostly executive functions: judging, planning, concentration, weighing cost and benefits.

Amygdala

Almond-shaped organ, heavily involved in emotional responses (including fight-freeze-flight response), decision-making, and memory. Also, hard-drive for heavy emotional experiences.

Hypothalamus

Controls body temperature, hunger, fatigue, sleep.

Thalamus

Regulation of sleep, consciousness, and alertness.

Hippocampus

Memory and navigation.

Pituitary Gland

Known as „master gland“ it produces, triggers glands to produce, and stores hormones - cortisol and oxytocin among many others.

Find out how Free the Limbic^® works

The interplay between your pre-frontal cortex (executive function) and your limbic system (instinctive behaviour) is key to your performance. When you experience a threat – even if it is not life threatening like an upcoming presentation – your limbic system turns into alarm mode. Attempts by your pre-frontal cortex to calm you down often fail as the limbic system is stronger. The result: you feel blocked and cannot perform at your best. Find out below how Free the Limbic^® frees your limbic system so you can perform exceptionally.

Free the Limbic^® is based on the latest research in neuroscience. It has the capacity to transform negative thoughts and emotions which are holding us back – in just a few coaching sessions.

Unlike traditional coaching approaches, Free the Limbic^® addresses the specific area of the brain that causes our performance blockage – the limbic system.

When you experience a stressful situation – a work deadline, important presentation, giving tough feedback to your boss, or saying NO to an important client – your amygdala, part of the limbic system, turns into alarm mode. It then communicates with other parts of the limbic system, first and foremost the hypothalamus which initiates the release of with various stress hormones such as cortisol and noradrenalin. If our brain is over- flooded with stress hormones, our rational thought processes in the pre-frontal cortex are blocked. We cannot perform at our best. All we have left is the fight-flight-freeze response.

Traditional coaching methods focus mostly on the rational part of our brain (pre-frontal cortex), by changing our thinking pattern into something more positive. However, the anxiety never ceases completely. The reason being, is that the amygdala does not understand language. It is part of our ancient brain and therefore responds to cues only.

Free the Limbic^® uses rhythmic interventions (a form of cue) such as tapping, breathing and eye movement to address the blockage in amygdala. Along with other techniques, this helps increase oxytocin, a hormone which reduces cortisol and noradrenalin levels in our brain. The result: anxiety and negative thoughts cease (for the particular situation, the effect is permanent) – and you can access your potential and perform at your best.