The amygdala, this area of the so-called “primitive” brain doesn’t go “haywire” when its host is deprived of sleep, as this article suggests. It’s activated for good reason. When its host hasn’t received enough sleep, the amygdala asserts the fight or flight response for the protection of the host precisely because the frontal cortex is sluggish and inadequate to the immediate task at hand. Ask anyone trying to sleep through the initial violent occurrences as in a war zone if they would prefer that their amygdala be suppressed. Sure, once they have habituated, their sleep is restored, and the frontal cortex can be reasserted . But initially, the response of their amygdala is anything but “haywire”.

…An otherwise useful article, pointing toward a legitimate cause of common psychological symptoms, which, with a bad choice of wording, also propagates the propaganda of illness and prevention.

 My amygdala works just the way it was intended, thank you!

 -Neon

 

Neon, I agree that the amygdala is a healthy part of us, necessary to help us make speedy decisions and so forth, but I think that you've really made some vast generalizations.

Your response on this page, as was your response on another article in my blog, seemed unnecessarily aggressive. I don't want to be mean, but it sniffs of that "wounded, male geek" syndrome (a lot of us men in the community do this). It's the response where you use your outstanding, perhaps marginalized, intellect to redirect a lot of anger toward people you percieve as a direct threat to you, or your intelligence, the world at large, your vision of the cosmos "as it reaaaally is," etc.

Again, I don't say this to be mean. I have no idea where you're coming from, but I just wonder how helpful or constructive these angry posts are to the spirit of what we're trying to do?

 

Certainly you could have said something more like this in your response:

While suppressing the amygdala might be a necessary part of a good night's rest, maybe we shouldn't think of it as simply "primitive." Certainly the speed of its functioning protects us at other times, like during war or battle when sleep might not be such a good thing. Also, I wonder how the consciousness of this article is a part of the illness/prevention cycle our culture seems to be caught in. Perhaps the modality itself is a bit primitive? All the same, an interesting article. I guess I just had some problems with the wording, made me question.

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Because here's the deal. When you say something that way, it's still exactly what you said, it's just that you're saying it a bit nicer. Do you really suppose that Melinda's intention is to spread propaganda or to misinform the public, decieve them, or you? If you feel that Melinda was mistaken in her reasoning, then perhaps she would be glad to learn something new, consider a new idea, your ideas.

Maybe Melinda is doing the best she can, and your kind and thoughtful response could help inform her?

 

On the other hand, what about this response to this article, and even to your response:

The utlimate response, even in a war zone, would be peace.

Because life is infinite.

Because the alpha and the Omega are one. Because death need not be feared in any necessary way.

Because peace that passes understanding is evolved.

Maybe our amygdala should shut down in battle, and maybe it would be better, in a war zone, to know a peace strong enough to let go of even the need to live---so strong is the spirit's desire for rest.

Perhaps we sleep nearly one third of our life because the slow speed of the frontal cortex and the so-called primite high-speed of the amygdalla need to work in a proportional relationship.

When I look at our world, I try to see love. But sometimes I can't help but wonder if we observe the sabbath as a holy space within our daily life?

Do we take enough time to release everything, all reason, all concern, all worry, all need for answers? We work so much. Our market is buzzing 24/7. I wonder if this article might not be seen as a reminder that the Sabbath is within each one of us, and it needs to be observed with as much care as any other activity?

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 All this being said, for the sake of the energy we are all trying to lift. I hope that you will accept my constructive criticism with all the spirit of a brother in light.

Maybe you were just having a bad day, but there's no reason to attack or feed aggression into this holy space and community we have here. with love--

Adam Elenbaas

Thanks, Adam and Neon. I think it's fair to say "haywire" wasn't the best word choice -- I meant it as a synonym for "hyperactive," but you're right, "haywire" comes with negative connotations that I hadn't intended. Cheers, Melinda

I'm very sorry, Melinda. It wasn’t my intention to cause a scuffle, or to hurt your feelings in any way. Please don’t be discouraged from posting future articles.

Adam, I accept your criticism. Thank you for showing me the door.

 -Neon

Well, I wish you'd stick around! My comment was only designed to suggest that we be kind to one another in our conversations and criticisms. I don't think you have to go!!! Adam Elenbaas

i see no aggro or attacking here, just touchiness!