15 systems of the brain - the Brain Town Team

-


I was recently working with a client who was struggling with confidence and anxiety (their words) and it seemed an appropriate idea to explain how the 15 systems in a brain work together but can often appear in conflict if the roles are not clear. It lead me to create a fun simple story way to look at it and I thought it worth sharing here.

Please share freely and just let people know where you found it J

I would also recommend watching the films Inside Out 1 & 2

🌟 The Brain Town Team 🌟

Once upon a time, in a magical place called Brain Town, lived fifteen special helpers. Each of them had a job to keep Brain Town happy, healthy, and smart.

1. Vera the Calm

Vera the Vagus worked like a gentle wind. She helped Brain Town rest, digest food, and feel calm after a big hug or deep breath. When Vera was strong, everyone felt peaceful.

2. Leo the Planner

Leo the Prefrontal Cortex was the thinker. He made plans, helped make good choices, and kept other friends focused. When Leo was tired, everyone sometimes acted without thinking.

3. Amy the Alarm

Amy the Amygdala was Brain Town’s alarm system. If something felt scary or surprising, she sounded the alert so everyone would pay attention. Sometimes she got excited even about small problems like a loud noise or a scary face on TV.

4. Dopamine Dan the Explorer

Dan made everyone excited to chase goals like finishing homework, climbing a tree, or starting a puzzle. He didn’t give the fun feeling — he helped everyone go get it!

5. Cortisol Cara the Firefighter

Cara only rushed in during emergencies. She helped Brain Town gather energy for action, like running fast or solving big challenges. But if she stayed too long, everyone got tired and stressed.

6. Harry the Memory Keeper

Harry the Hippocampus stored all the important stories — birthdays, songs, how to ride a bike — so Brain Town would remember them forever.

7. Ivy the Body Listener

Ivy the Insula felt what was happening inside the body — like hunger, sleepy feelings, or a racing heart. She helped Brain Town understand signals so it could stay balanced.

8. Sam the Mood Helper

Serotonin Sam spread happy feelings and confidence. When Sam was busy, Brain Town felt joyful and calm.

9. Olive the Friend Connector

Oxytocin Olive was the friend-maker. With her help, Brain Town felt safe, close to others, and ready to share and play.

10. Ben the Habit Builder

Ben the Basal Ganglia helped Brain Town make routines — like brushing teeth every morning or tying shoelaces without thinking. The more you practiced, the easier Ben made it!

11. Theo the Gatekeeper

Theo the Thalamus stood at Brain Town’s gates. He decided which sounds, sights, and sensations came into attention, like choosing only the important surprises during a game.

12. Hazel the Balance Keeper

Hazel the Hypothalamus kept everything in balance — sleep cycles, hunger, body temperature, and even our clock for night and day. She was Brain Town’s nurse, always checking how things felt.

13. Nick the Craving Guide

Nick the Nucleus Accumbens managed wants and cravings — like dessert, videos, or extra playtime. He helped Brain Town learn what was worth working for and what to save for later.

14. Abby the Switcher

Abby the Anterior Cingulate Cortex helped Brain Town switch gears — from calm to serious, or from homework to fun — and stay in control of big feelings while changing focus.

15. Pearl the Night Watcher

Pearl the Pineal Gland made sure Brain Town got sleepy when the time was right. She shimmered moon-melatonin so everyone could rest and recharge for the next day.

🧠 How They All Work Together

Every morning, Brain Town woke up when Vera stretched and breathed life into the day. Leo helped plan school tasks, Theo filtered the friendly sounds of morning birds, and Ivy made sure everyone knew if they were hungry or ready to play.

When a loud noise surprised them, Amy's alarm rang! But Abby helped calm things down with deep breaths so the day could continue without panic. During playtime, Dopamine Dan made every win feel exciting, and at lunch, Hazel’s clock reminded everyone it was time to eat.

At bedtime, Pearl the Night Watcher told the stars it was time for sleep. And as Brain Town rested, Harry tucked all the day’s happy memories into a safe place.

All fifteen helpers made Brain Town a happy, strong, and balanced team — just like the amazing brain inside you! ✨

I hope you enjoyed the story and that it resonates with you.

If you would like to explore how you can learn to lead your Brain Town Team to better support your wellbeing. Please contact me at www.hypnotherapywestmidlands.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Moving from the Inside Out: Understanding Motivation in Tai Chi & Qigong for Chronic Conditions

-
Image
Title: Moving from the Inside Out: Understanding Motivation in Tai Chi & Qigong for Chronic Conditions By Mark Peters When supporting people with chronic medical conditions to begin or maintain an active lifestyle, one of the most important—yet often overlooked—factors is motivation . Not just whether someone is motivated, but why they are. In the world of health behaviour change, we often distinguish between two types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic . Both can play a role in encouraging participation in activities like Tai Chi and Qigong , but the balance between them often determines long-term success, especially for those managing ongoing health challenges. Extrinsic Motivation: Starting from the Outside Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or pressures . For example: A doctor recommends more exercise. A physiotherapist sets a rehab goal. A family member signs someone up for a class. There's a certificate or prize at the end. Soc...
Read more

Tai Chi excellent exercise for people with Chronic health conditions

-
Image
Benefits of tai chi and qigong  over gym sessions and aerobic classes   When we compare Tai Chi and Qigong with gym sessions or aerobic classes , the benefits often stand out most clearly for people managing chronic medical conditions or recovering from illness. Both approaches have value, but the focus and outcomes are quite different. 1. Safety & Accessibility Tai Chi and Qigong are low impact, joint-friendly, and adaptable to almost any health condition. Movements can be done standing, seated, or even with support. In contrast, gyms and aerobics can be higher impact, which may aggravate pain, fatigue, or mobility issues. 2. Gentle Rehabilitation The slow, mindful pace of Tai Chi and Qigong makes them ideal for rebuilding strength and confidence after illness or injury. They promote circulation, breathing, and gentle stretching without the strain often experienced in traditional workouts. 3. Balance & Fall Prevention One of the stro...
Read more

How Children Can Benefit from Tai Chi and Qigong

-
Image
  The Gentle Power: How Children Can Benefit from Tai Chi and Qigong In today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world, children are often bombarded with constant stimulation, academic pressures, and a myriad of extracurricular commitments. Amid this whirlwind, practices like Tai Chi and Qigong offer a refreshing, grounding alternative that can significantly support a child’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. While often associated with older adults, these ancient Chinese practices are remarkably beneficial for children too. Their gentle, flowing movements, deep breathing, and focus on inner calm make them ideal for young minds and bodies navigating the demands of growing up. What Are Tai Chi and Qigong? Tai Chi is a form of martial art that focuses on slow, controlled movements and balance, often described as “meditation in motion.” Qigong , on the other hand, is an even older practice that combines movement, breathing techniques, and visualisation to cultivate and balance ...
Read more