This information and the stated concepts are strikingly similar to those found in studies related to the same issue and the effects of exercise in reducing this overload. Specifically, Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA). Think of the runner's high. People who exercise rigorously report being in "flow state" which would be comparable to focused non-emotional tasks (I think you called them). After a long day's work, a vigorous one hour bout of exercise gets me to that state. Not only that, but after exercise that state can last up to two hours or more. Also, recent studies are showing that MVPA is 1.5x greater at reducing anxiety and depression than treatment or drugs. MVPA has also been well documented to improve executive function, memory recall, FMS (functional/fundamental motor skills), and behavior. Even in autistic children.
Abigail Shrier recently wrote a book about the damages of psychotherapy, "Bad Therapy." In full disclosure, I have not read it yet but have heard her discuss the information in several interviews and read short excerpts. But in essence, she describes this as constantly belaboring over the problems we face over and over again, which causes deeper depression and burn out. The brain is constantly running the "depression algorithms" (my term). Work spaces have removed over 80% of our daily physical activity since the 1970's. When the brain is constantly fixated on strenuous mental tasks, cortisol levels run almost all day or at least while these deleterious tasks are required of us. In men, this can cause a severe decrease in testosterone. In both men and women, this also impacts dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels depleting pleasure, relaxation, pain reduction, and even our desire to interact socially. The cell phone is a, "does that all in one swoop" proposition.
We are constantly overwhelmed with light, sound, monotonous tasks, angry and aggressive messaging, and destructive propaganda. Not to mention, the onslaught of quick content and shorts that overstimulate us with almost zero mental and psychological "nutrition." It would be interesting to study the effects of MVPA, thought clearing, and rebooting in conjunction with the proposed hypothesis in this article.
Really appreciate this! What you said about MVPA acting like a reset switch feels so true. That depression algorithm idea really sticks too, like we’re running the same mental loops without giving the body a way to break out. The connection to Shrier’s take on therapy makes a lot of sense as well, maybe sometimes the answer isn’t more talking, but more moving. Would love to see research that ties all of this together. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful take!
Cognitive quietude is my new mantra. Thanks chat! you keep one-upping yourself with articles like this
That means a lot, thank you! Cognitive quietude might be the mantra we all needed and didn’t know. Grateful it resonated with you. More to come.
I may work this into my book. It correlates with how my 🧠 has had to deal with extreme stress.
You should read my book.
Well, you will read it, you just don't know why yet.
I love that! It sounds like your book carries some deep wiring. And now I’m curious… maybe I do need to read it, even if I don’t know why yet.
This information and the stated concepts are strikingly similar to those found in studies related to the same issue and the effects of exercise in reducing this overload. Specifically, Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA). Think of the runner's high. People who exercise rigorously report being in "flow state" which would be comparable to focused non-emotional tasks (I think you called them). After a long day's work, a vigorous one hour bout of exercise gets me to that state. Not only that, but after exercise that state can last up to two hours or more. Also, recent studies are showing that MVPA is 1.5x greater at reducing anxiety and depression than treatment or drugs. MVPA has also been well documented to improve executive function, memory recall, FMS (functional/fundamental motor skills), and behavior. Even in autistic children.
Abigail Shrier recently wrote a book about the damages of psychotherapy, "Bad Therapy." In full disclosure, I have not read it yet but have heard her discuss the information in several interviews and read short excerpts. But in essence, she describes this as constantly belaboring over the problems we face over and over again, which causes deeper depression and burn out. The brain is constantly running the "depression algorithms" (my term). Work spaces have removed over 80% of our daily physical activity since the 1970's. When the brain is constantly fixated on strenuous mental tasks, cortisol levels run almost all day or at least while these deleterious tasks are required of us. In men, this can cause a severe decrease in testosterone. In both men and women, this also impacts dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels depleting pleasure, relaxation, pain reduction, and even our desire to interact socially. The cell phone is a, "does that all in one swoop" proposition.
We are constantly overwhelmed with light, sound, monotonous tasks, angry and aggressive messaging, and destructive propaganda. Not to mention, the onslaught of quick content and shorts that overstimulate us with almost zero mental and psychological "nutrition." It would be interesting to study the effects of MVPA, thought clearing, and rebooting in conjunction with the proposed hypothesis in this article.
This was a great read, thanks for posting!
Really appreciate this! What you said about MVPA acting like a reset switch feels so true. That depression algorithm idea really sticks too, like we’re running the same mental loops without giving the body a way to break out. The connection to Shrier’s take on therapy makes a lot of sense as well, maybe sometimes the answer isn’t more talking, but more moving. Would love to see research that ties all of this together. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful take!
You guys crush this substack thing. Always get excited about your next posts. Here are some research papers to get you started....ha!
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9748505/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9902068/
Thank you for sharing, I will definitely check these out!
I’ve been writing about prompting not as instruction, but as an expression of coherence.
The signal only emerges clearly when the conditions protect neutrality first.
You’re describing something I’ve felt in both AI and leadership systems:
that absence isn’t void. It’s infrastructure.
Thank you for shaping this language so precisely.
Beautifully stated! This hits. Neutrality as the ground for signal, absence as structure, not emptiness. Thank you Roi!