Episode #63: A Research Scientist Talks About Brain Research in the Highly Sensitive Person

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A Research Scientist Talks About Brain Research in the Highly Sensitive Person

GUEST

Dr. Bianca Acevedo

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Dr. Bianca Acevedo talks about how the brain responds to emotional displays, and what deep processing really entails. She explains the different ways the insula processes information. She also talks about intuition, and she answers the question: Do HSPs have more mirror neurons? I was surprised at the answer! Dr. Acevedo talks about a way that HSPs can recharge in 8 minutes, and she talks about the overall percentage of people who are very sensitive, moderately sensitive and less sensitive.

HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Acevedo worked with Dr. Arthur Aron
She has studied romantic love and newleyweds
Dr. Acevedo looked at brain responses to emotional display
Highly Sensitive People are more affected by others’ emotional displays
These studies used MRI scanners
They looked at empathy, mirror neurons, and the insula
Do HSPs have more mirror neurons?
The researchers measured blood and oxygen levels
HSPs process information more deeply
The insula processes information in the following ways—visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular, reward system, and via the organs
There is a signature pattern of response to certain things
Things that become activated in response to different things
Burn out can happen when we over process and we don’t get a break to recharge and recover
In a memory study, HSPs who took 8 minutes to rest and close their eyes between tasks, outperformed non-HSPs
Rumination is not a feature of being a Highly Sensitive Person. It correlates to having anxiety and depression, which can start as early and infancy/childhood
HSPs are more sensitive to environments
The impact can be lifelong and it impacts our emotional and social well-being
HSPs can immerse themselves in supportive environments
Dr. Acevedo was referred to as eccentric/quirky
It’s important to have respect for each other’s differences (HSP vs. non-HSP)
Hopefully parents who are raising male children are supporting the traits their boys show
Perhaps with increasing awareness about gender fluidity and gender roles, parents are allowing their kids to express whatever traits they have
It’s important to have at least 1 HSP in a group to pick up on things that might have been lost by the non-HSP, and it’s important to have a less sensitive person in the group
It’s important to be kind to yourself
To accept that we need to take times for ourselves
30% of the population are very sensitive, 40% are moderately sensitive and 30% are less sensitive
HSPs are an increase sense of self-awareness, contemplation and reflection
This is an important piece of evolving and moving forward as a species

GUEST BIO

Dr. Bianca Acevedo is a research scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, a Visiting Scholar at New York University, a private consultant, author, and sought-after public speaker. She has done extensive research on the science of love, highly sensitive persons and mind-body practices. She has taught courses on close relationships and positive psychology, and was the recipient of the 2012 International Women in Science Award. She is the developer of the LoveSmart App and her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

PODCAST HOST

Patricia Young works with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) helping them understand their HSP traits, and turning their perceived shortcomings into superpowers. Patricia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who is passionate about providing education to help HSPs and non-HSPs understand and truly appreciate the amazing gifts they have to offer. Patricia works globally online with HSPs providing coaching. Patricia also facilitates online groups for HSPs that focus on building community and developing skills (identifying your superpowers, boundaries, perfectionism, dealing with conflict, mindfulness, embracing emotions, creating a lifestyle that supports the HSP, communication and more).