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In the intricate tapestry of the human brain, there exists a primal force that traces its origins back to our reptilian ancestors. Often referred to as the “lizard brain” or the “reptilian brain,” this ancient structure plays a crucial role in shaping human behavior.

In this article, we delve into the depths of the reptilian brain, exploring its influence on our actions and reactions.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to treat or diagnose anyone.)

Reptilian Brain
Reptilian Brain Traits in Humans.

Are There Reptilian Trait behavior in Humans? This article discusses the R-Complex and how humans exhibit reptilian behavior. We have a body, but where is the user manual?

I started my personal growth journey in 1997, and the first area I studied was psychology and the mind.

I noticed how easily I was ‘triggered’ (an unconscious emotional reaction) as a child and young adult before the term ‘triggered’ was even used, and I believe what gets triggered in us is the R-complex.

Advertisers and other media outlets know this, so most media is fear-based because it gets people’s attention.

What is the Reptilian Brain?

MacLean has shown that the R-complex plays an important role in aggressive behavior, territoriality, ritual, and the establishment of social hierarchies.

Despite occasional welcome exceptions, this seems to me to characterize a great deal of modern human bureaucratic and political behavior.” Carl Sagan, Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence

In MacLean’s triune brain model, the basal ganglia are called the reptilian or primal. This structure controls our innate and automatic self-preserving behavior patterns, ensuring our survival and that of our species.

Three primary structures developed sequentially from oldest to newest below.

  1. The basal ganglia are found at the center of the human =The R-Complex

  2. The limbic system (which consists of various component structures, such as the amygdala and hippocampus.)

  3. The neocortex (which is implicated in conscious thought, language, and reasoning).

MacLean suggested, within the Triune model, that the basal ganglia and a number of the surrounding structures within the base of the forebrain are responsible for ‘species-typical’ behaviors, which are present in aggression, dominance, territoriality, and ritual displays.

The oldest part is the R complex. I’ll use these terms interchangeably throughout this article; they all mean the same thing.

The Serpentine Brain consists of the upper part of the spinal cord and the basal ganglia, the diencephalon, and midbrain regions – all of which sit atop the spinal column like a knob in the middle of our heads.

This part fundamentally influences our behavior and controls bodily functions required to sustain life, such as breathing and body temperature.

The R-complex also is where repeating patterns such as:

  • rituals
  • automatic responses without conscious thought
  • predictability
  • fear of losing a job, spouse, home,
  • fear of dying,
  • lack of money & resources,
  • and the unknown are all anxiety and trauma responses.

I’ve always admired people willing to take a leap of faith and go for it, like quitting their job and moving to another country.

Once people fear not surviving, the cerebrum fear center takes over, and we are at the mercy of its reactions to perceived threats. The News Media targets this part of the by telling us the latest tragedy or economic woes.

I. Evolutionary Roots: Reptile Behavior in Humans

To understand the R-complex in humans, we must first look to our evolutionary past. Humans share a common ancestry with reptiles, and certain behaviors have persisted across millions of years. The survival instincts of our reptilian forebears, such as fight or flight responses, territoriality, and social hierarchies, are deeply embedded in our genetic code.

II. Unveiling the Reptilian Brain in Humans

  1. Anatomy and Function: The reptilian part comprises the stem and the cerebellum, governing fundamental functions like breathing, heart rate, and balance. It is the oldest part, responsible for basic survival instincts and involuntary responses.

  2. Fight or Flight: One of the most well-known aspects of the reptilian brain is its role in the “fight or flight” response. When faced with danger, triggers cascade physiological reactions designed to enhance our chances of survival.

  3. Territorial Instincts: The reptilian mind also influences our territorial instincts, contributing to the formation of personal boundaries and the defense of resources. This behavior can be observed in various aspects of human life, from individual spaces to geopolitical conflicts.

III. Human Reptile Brain in Modern Society

  1. Decision-Making and Risk Aversion: Despite the evolution of more advanced structures, the reptilian brain continues to play a significant role in decision-making. Humans often exhibit risk aversion, a trait inherited from our reptilian ancestors who needed to carefully assess threats in their environment.

  2. Social Hierarchies: The reptilian cerebrum contributes to the establishment of social hierarchies, a phenomenon seen in various human interactions. From the workplace to social circles, individuals may display dominant or submissive behaviors influenced by these ancient instincts.

IV. Overcoming the Limitations of the Lizard Brain

  1. Emotional Regulation: Understanding the influence of the reptilian mind allows us to work towards emotional regulation. Techniques such as mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy can help manage instinctual reactions to stressors.

  2. Evolutionary Advancements: While the reptilian brain provides a foundation for survival, the evolution of the human mind has introduced more complex cognitive functions. Developing higher-order thinking and emotional intelligence can help override primitive responses in modern situations.
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Systems Controlled & Influenced By The Reptilian Brain

  • Education System
  • Government
  • Military
  • Judicial
  • Religion
  • Business

When the R Complex controls someone, their behavior can affect other people’s brain responses. We can be calm, relaxed, and collected for one minute. Still, if someone displays serpentine brain behaviors in our presence, it can affect our behavior unless we remain conscious.

The desire to control, whether in relationships, circumstances, or life, is a primary trait of the R Complex in action. We often call people displaying this behavior “control freaks,” and “freak-like” is what they appear to be.

“Deep inside the skull of every one of us, there is something like a brain of a crocodile. Surrounding the R-complex is the limbic system or mammalian brain, which evolved tens of millions of years ago in ancestors who were mammal but not yet primates.

It is a major source of our moods and emotions, of our concern and care for the young. And finally, on the outside, living in an uneasy truce with the more primitive brains beneath is the cerebral cortex; civilization is a product of the cerebral cortex.

— Carl Sagan, Cosmos p.276–277

Reptilian Behavior Traits

Below are typical reptilian brain behaviors.

  1. Territoriality
  2. A hierarchical structure of power
  3. Control
  4. Ownership
  5. Wars
  6. Jealousy
  7. Anger
  8. Fear
  9. Hostility
  10. Worry
  11. Stuck or frozen with fear
  12. Addictions
  13. Anxiety
  14. Aggressiveness
  15. Conflict
  16. Extreme behavior
  17. Competitiveness
  18. Cold-blooded
  19. Dog-eat-dog beliefs, might is right, and survival of the fittest.
  20. OCD, hoarding, looting,
  21. Superstitions
  22. Deception
  23. Fight, flee, or freeze  – (fight or flight response)
  24. Obesity from fear of lack of food – (food scarcity)
  25. Daily rituals, ceremonial re-enactments.
  26. Hunger
  27. Sex
  28. Habits/Automatic Routines

The R Complex can overpower the ability to have calm and rational thoughts. “Losing our heads.” These traits all stem from a belief of insufficient or a ‘lack of’ mentality. It’s all about survival.

Emotional responses are based on the fear of not surviving, so marketers and news outlets always use fear to get you to watch or buy the product.

Power, status, reputation, and sense of self. It doesn’t like change or new viewpoints.

That is why enacting any real difference in politics seems nearly impossible. It fears change, and any real change as far as policy goes can be an absolute “nightmare” to get enacted.

With new views in science, politics, religion, education, and medicine, the reptilian brain sees this as a threat and will always defend itself. Consciousness always wins in the long run, but not without taking out a few casualties.

It doesn’t know the difference between real and imagined, and its thoughts about events are just as accurate as those of the “real thing.” Anxiety is a state caused by the R Complex that should cause us to feel anxious even when nothing is happening.

There is a gnawing away in the belly that something “bad” will happen, and it doesn’t like surprises either.

What is the Amygdala?

The Amygdala is one of two ‘almond-like‘ groups of cores found deep in the brain and the middle of the mind’s transient flaps. It’s used for essential jobs like handling memory, basic leadership, and enthusiastic reactions such as apprehension, tension, and hostility.

The Amygdala is a significant aspect of the limbic framework.

The Function of The R Complex is to Serve You

The primary function of the R Complex is survival and the ability to keep us alive. Without this body program, we wouldn’t last very long here on earth, so there is no sense in beating it.

The problem arises when you stay “stuck” in survival mode as a way of being. You become locked in the R-complex and will perceive reality as a fight for survival.

This part of the brain could be seen as primitive, which isn’t helpful in our modern world.

Everything suddenly seems like a threat to your survival. We become reactive, suspicious, paranoid, and delusional.

Use your conscious awareness to live your life and keep your survival brain a secondary backup, but not a primary leader, except only when entering new or unfamiliar situations.

The Survival part of your brain is your friend. However, it is continuously triggered by exposure to negative media, people, and situations.

This is why periodically getting out into nature and away from stress is the key to maintaining your emotional health.

The R-complex is programmed to reject the unfamiliar and trap us in our comfort zones – where less energy is spent and less risky action is taken, which made perfect sense back when we were running from hungry saber-toothed tigers.

But today, in an age where constant personal growth, self-experimentation, and new ways of thinking are critical to our success and happiness? Not so much.

How To Overcome It?

Consciousness is the only way to be free from the effects of the reptilian brain, which means knowing the difference between real and imagined. Imagination is a beautiful tool, but it can also create “doomsday” scenarios in our minds.

Remain conscious of your thoughts, and when you get unsettling feelings in your body, focus on what ideas you have been having. Redirect them to beliefs that make you feel good and empower you.

The R-complex continuously responds to thoughts as if they are happening in ‘real-life.’

Eckhart Tolle has many great tips and advice for dealing with repetitious thinking and being present with yourself. The first way to overcome the Reptilian Brain is to become aware of when it has overtaken you.

An unhealthy lifestyle like eating junk foods and getting inadequate rest will cause the reptilian brain to go into overdrive. Many people have adopted this ‘hustle’ mentality, which means working 80 hours or more a week, which leads to burnout and adrenal exhaustion.

We need to get back to basics. Work, rest, take a hot bath or shower, play, take your vitamins, help others, get a massage, return to your spirituality, and take care of your responsibilities.  Life is a journey, so have fun.

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Why Am I Telling You This?

When you see these characteristics in yourself or others, don’t be judgmental; instead, recognize them for what it is — part of the human body and experience of being human. Before discovering the Lizard Brain, I knew something was off about these traits when I saw them displayed.

Now that we are all aware of the R Complex, let’s bring conscious awareness back into the picture to reduce or eliminate the destructive nature of the ‘fear-based’ creations.

I believe that part of the changes that we all will be experiencing when the “shift” occurs is that the R-complex will cease to control and influence us.

It will feel as if a significant burden has been lifted from our shoulders. Author David Icke described an excellent example of reptilian behavior in people.

He says people dominated by the reptilian brain want to know the football game’s score before it even starts because they can’t handle the discomfort of the uncertainty of the outcome.

The lizard brain hates surprises and needs to know; it requires certainty of what will happen next.

The best antidote for reptilian behavior is emotional control. When emotions get out of whack, the R-complex will soon command the body, and then ‘all hell breaks loose.’

The world does not need this, and she needs her people to get some emotional control.

If you want an easy way to calm the reptilian brain, try meditation to eat healthy, whole foods, avoid processed foods, and avoid stimulants.

The Sympathetic nervous system/ego controls the R-complex and triggers our fight or flight response system. I believe this is the key to overcoming the adverse effects of the Reptilian Brain.

Breathing exercises, physical exercise, and a good night’s sleep can help keep your nervous system healthy.

Conclusion

In the intricate dance between nature and nurture, the reptilian brain serves as a constant reminder of our evolutionary past. Acknowledging its influence enables us to navigate the complexities of human behavior with greater insight and empowers us to transcend the instinctual limitations of our ancient lizard brain.

As we continue to evolve, the interplay between our primitive instincts and our higher cognitive functions remains a fascinating field of study, shedding light on the intricate workings of the human mind.

Our brain comprises three layers; each layer directly impacts the other and controls the physical body and how you feel.

The three functional layers are the reptilian brain, the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex. The reptilian brain controls the regulatory systems in your body, like hormones, body temperature, blood pressure, and even hunger.

The limbic system is the emotional function of your brain, making you feel fear, anger, joy, or gratitude. Finally, the cerebral cortex is the most evolved part of the brain that oversees impulse control, decision-making, and long-term planning.

With a better understanding of how each part of the functions, we can have more conscious thoughts to influence good decision-making and outcomes.

One way to calm your R-complex is to notice that it has taken you over. Sometimes your awareness is enough to calm your brain.

Here’s a little secret. Your breath can control your nervous system. Breathe fast and shallowly and feel anxious; breathe slowly, deeply, and calmly.

Sometimes physical exercise also calms you down, and other times a cold shower or splashing cold water on your face works. I even heard that yawning can calm you.

⇒ Read Next: Does The Body Control The Mind Or Does The Mind Control The Body?⇒

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