What Your Brain Is Really Doing When You’re Doing “Nothing”

Unless we are dead, our brain is never truly inactive. And it’s not just a matter of regulating autonomic functions, either…

Default Mode Network

When the brain is at rest but not necessarily asleep, the Default Mode Network (DMN) engages. This makes up for around 20% of the brain’s overall activity, and contributes to complex cognitive processes.

What constitutes “at rest”: the DMN activates when external tasks stop and is engaged during self-reflection, mind-wandering, and relaxed memory recall (i.e. reminiscing, rather than answering questions in a difficult test, for example).

As for its neurophysiology, the DMN is connected to the hippocampus and plays a key role in episodic, prospective, and semantic memory (memories of experiences, future plans, and general knowledge), as well as being involved in self-reflection, social cognition, and understanding others’ thoughts (theory of mind). The DMN thus also helps integrate memories and thoughts to create a cohesive internal narrative and sense of self.

However, it doesn’t work alone: the DMN interacts with other networks like the salience network, which switches attention to external stimuli. Disruptions between these networks are linked to psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, depression), in various different ways depending on the nature of the disruption.

Sometimes, for some people in some circumstances, the option to disrupt the DMN is useful. For example, research shows that psilocybin disrupts the DMN, leading to changes in brain activity and potential therapeutic benefits for depression* and other psychiatric disorders by enhancing neuroplasticity.

*Essentially, kicking the brain out of the idling gear it got stuck in, and into action

For more on all of this, enjoy:

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Want to learn more?

You might also like to read:

• The Wandering Mind – by Dr. Michael Corballis ← a book, largely about the DMN and how to use it beneficially
• Taking A Trip Through The Evidence On Psychedelics ← for a shorter read, touching on psilocybin

Take care!