C C C:
Part of the brain in the subcallosal area, called Brodmann 25, after the guy who named it. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gray727-Brodman.png
wikipedia: "One study has noted that BA25 is metabolically overactive in treatment-resistant depression and has found that chronic deep brain stimulation in the white matter adjacent to the area is a successful treatment for some patients.[4] A different study found that metabolic hyperactivity in this area is associated with poor therapeutic response of persons with Major Depressive Disorder to cognitive-behavioral therapy and venlafaxine"...."This region is extremely rich in serotonin transporters and is considered as a governor for a vast network involving areas like hypothalamus and brain stem, which influences changes in appetite and sleep; the amygdala and insula, which affect the mood and anxiety; the hippocampus, which plays an important role in memory formation; and some parts of the frontal cortex responsible for self-esteem".
I found that if I focus on this spot I feel a bit different, in a good way. Can someone try this and tell me what happens for them?
I draw a line in from the inner part of the left eye and stop about 10 cm in. Not sure if that is accurate but looks about right.
i tried it for a few seconds but i dont want to strain too much focusing on that area.
i did notice, though, that if i just make a forced smile and keep it going (make sure the tips of your lips stay smilling, too) that i can actually feel the endorphins or whatever being released by my body. they seem to start in my chest area and they work their way up to my head. if i keep it up enough, i'll even start yawning, which is apparently a symptom of changes in the seratonin-related processes in your brain (it also happens when you're coming up when rolling and when you're doing down, if you had high-quality stuff). might be an easy way to feel better!
i did notice that if you stop and make no more effort to maintain the better 'mood' or whatnot, there's a bit of a comedown as it fades