Discipline Actually Is A Muscle!

Hey TDG Family & Good Morning! 💪

Table of Contents

• Must Read Article💡

• Parker’s Breakdown: The Tenacity Muscle 🔑

• The Study 📖

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Must Read Article💡

How to Build Willpower

You often hear about how discipline is a muscle…

What if I told you it kind of was?

We are doing a must watch video this week, and in this video Dr. Huberman discusses an area of your brain responsible for willpower. Here are a couple of the main points!👇👇

• There is an area of the brain called the “Anterior MidCingulate Cortex” which plays a large role in one’s tenacity or discipline.

• When a person does something they do not want to do, this area of the brain increases in size.

• This area of the brain is known to be smaller in obese people. Obese people tend to avoid doing hard things such as dieting or working out.

  • This area of the brain is also known to increase in size when the individual diets.

Parker’s Breakdown: The Tenacity Muscle 🔑

The anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) is a fascinating brain region that plays a crucial role in our ability to persevere through challenges. Recent research suggests that this part of the brain acts like a "tenacity muscle" that we can strengthen over time.

Life's most significant achievements - whether building a successful business, sculpting a fit physique, or nurturing strong relationships - inevitably involve moments of suffering, pain, and resistance. It's during these challenging times that the aMCC kicks into high gear, helping us push through discomfort and stay focused on our goals.

The exciting news is that each time we choose to persist rather than give up, we're essentially "working out" our aMCC. This mental exercise strengthens our capacity for discipline and tenacity, making it easier to face future challenges. As we build this resilience, we become better equipped to tackle increasingly difficult goals.

So, the next time you face a daunting task or a moment of doubt, remember that pushing through isn't just about achieving the immediate goal. You're also building your brain's "tenacity muscle," setting yourself up for even greater accomplishments in the future. Embrace the challenge, knowing that each moment of perseverance is making you stronger and more resilient.

The Study 📖 

The Tenacious Brain: How the Anterior Mid-Cingulate Contributes to Achieving Goals

This article is a comprehensive literature review and theoretical synthesis rather than a primary research study. The authors conducted an extensive review of existing research on the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) and its role in tenacity and related behaviors. They compiled and analyzed findings from various types of studies, including neuroanatomical research, structural and functional neuroimaging studies, lesion studies in both animals and humans, and brain stimulation experiments.

The review covers a wide range of topics, starting with the neuroanatomy and connectivity of the aMCC, then moving to its involvement in various cognitive and emotional processes. The authors then propose a theoretical framework for understanding the aMCC's role in tenacity, supported by evidence from multiple research domains. They extend this framework to discuss implications for various health conditions and life outcomes, including depression, neurodegenerative diseases, aging, obesity, eating disorders, and academic achievement.

Throughout the article, the authors integrate findings from diverse fields of neuroscience and psychology to build their argument. They use this synthesized evidence to propose that the aMCC acts as a central hub for computations related to effort, reward, and physiological resources, which collectively contribute to tenacious behavior. The article concludes by suggesting future research directions and potential clinical applications of this understanding of aMCC function.

Here’s what is included:

• The aMCC (Anterior MidCingulate Cortex) is described as playing a crucial role in tenacity, which involves persistence in the face of challenges.

• Neuroimaging studies indicate that aMCC function and connectivity predict measures of grit, persistence, and willingness to exert effort.

• Choosing healthy foods over more calorically dense options is associated with greater aMCC activity.

• Formerly obese individuals who have successfully maintained weight loss show substantially enhanced aMCC activation in response to food cues.

• How well the aMCC works can affect how much people stick to exercise plans and control their eating.