How Metacognition Leads To Improved Mental Health And Reduced Addictive Behavior
I do believe that the human brain truly is the final frontier. The exploration of the brain is revealing more and more each year. It is understood that the brain is the most complicated organ in the human body. In fact, one writer put it this way, “The jelly-like tissue that is the brain is the most complicated object in the known universe. Its 100 billion nerve cells (nearly 20 times the number of people on earth), are each connected to thousands of other nerve cells in a bewilderingly complex network.” https://theconversation.com/understanding-the-brain-and-mind-sciences-final-frontier-18331\
As complicated as the brain is, I am sure it will engage scientists well into the distant future. The above description is apt as I delve deeper into the emerging field of “metacognition.” I’ve been following the research on this topic for several years and I feel great hope as the implications for improving mental health and well-being continue to produce positive results.
A recent article published in Neuroscience News gives a clearer picture of how this emerging field is contributing to the overall mental health of society. “Researchers report metacognition therapies, or directing personal thoughts and emotions for the benefit of mental wellbeing, can have positive effects on the treatment of anxiety, depression, and addictions.” https://neurosciencenews.com/metacognition-mental-health-19649/
As a proponent of drug-free methods for easing pain and ending opioid addiction, this is good news, especially as the world continues to wrestle with a global mental health crisis brought on by COVID-19. The research has been going on for decades and show that metacognition is effective “at decreasing addictive behaviors and improving emotional well-being.”
You’re probably wondering exactly what metacognition is. Well, in its simplest terms it is thinking about thinking. Scientifically metacognition studies how the mind can be aware of, and control, its own activity. I’ll be sharing more information on this fascinating evolving area of research. If you’re interested in delving deeper, you can read the entire Neuroscience News article here: https://neurosciencenews.com/metacognition-mental-health-19649/
