Rewire Your Brain: Think Your Way to a Better Life

somatosensory cortex
, the region of the brain 
that is associated with integrated body mapping. Damage to the left 
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somatosensory cortex does not result in a loss of empathy, whereas 
damage to the right side does. 
Since mirror neurons may also be part of the neurobiology of 
empathy, they make you respond to a person who appears sad and 
dejected. You feel sad along with that person. Talented actors tap 
into this empathetic system, so that you can vicariously experience 
the trials and tribulations that the actor experiences on screen. Your 
attachment style is primed by exposure to attachment themes in the 
movies, especially when they are emotionally powerful. Your capac-
ity for attachment also rests on the power of mirror neurons to help 
you understand the intentions of others. 
Marco Iacoboni has postulated the existence of “ super mirror 
neurons ” that provide another layer on top of the classic mirror neu-
rons. These super mirror neurons function to control and modulate 
the activity of the classic mirror neurons. 
This system of super mirror neurons helps you to form a proper 
sense of self as well as a sense of another person from a primary sense 
of “ us. ” Super mirror neurons inhibit the more classic mirror neurons 
so that when you see someone act, you do not impulsively imitate 
that action. For example, when you see a person hurt another person, 
you don ’ t hurt that person, too. 
Giacomo Rizzolatti, the Italian neuroscientist who led the group 
that discovered mirror neurons, noted that they “ allow us to grasp 
the minds of others not through conceptual reasoning but through 
direct simulation; by feeling, not by thinking. ” Mirror neurons are 
an integral part of the theory of mind that each of us carries within. 
Theory of mind
(ToM) is a process by which you try to understand 
and predict the behavior of others. The same capacity has been 
observed in nonhuman primates such as chimps and baboons. You 
probably developed aspects of it by age fi ve. The neural foundation 
of this capability is the same one that you use when you are plan-
ning your future. It bolsters your capability of formulating responses 
to behavior that you anticipate in others. 
There are several areas in the brain associated with ToM, includ-
ing the amygdala, the insula, and the front of the cingulate cortex. 
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The right OFC decodes mental states while the left OFC reasons 
about those states. There are three major aspects of ToM skills: 
1.
Self - related mental states
2.
Goals and outcomes
3.
Actions
ToM skills give you insight into what another person is thinking 
or feeling. You can ’ t truly communicate effectively without these 
skills. People differ in their level of sophistication of ToM skills, and 
people with autism have few or no ToM skills. 
You can work at expanding your ToM skills as you cultivate the 
talents of your mirror neuron system. Therapists work to perfect 
these skills throughout their careers. 
Some researchers have even proposed that experiencing empa-
thy and compassion for others is to have compassion for yourself. 
Here we see “ giving is receiving ” as a brain - based truth. Insensitivity 
and selfi shness are essentially bad for your brain and your mental 
health. Even witnessing altruism can boost your immune system. 
Compassion and loving relationships are therefore good for your 
brain and your mental health. 
Also related to the capacity for empathy and insight are the OFC 
and the front of the cingulate cortex, which are rich in
spindle cells.
These areas are thought to be involved in our emotional reactions to 
others, especially the instantaneous feelings of empathy. Hearing a 
baby cry, for example, makes you feel empathy for that baby. These