Almost all the people (at heart) a high opinion of its external or internal merits. Recently, a group of biologists from the National Institute of Radiology in Chiba (Japan) led by Makiko Yamada came to the conclusion that for a sense of superiority meets the special center in the brain. According to scientists, controlling them, you can adjust your psyche.
The researchers used the technique of functional imaging to monitor certain areas of the brain associated with consciousness and self-esteem of man. It turned out that the frontal cortex and the striatum of the brain contains neurons that can read the molecule dopamine, which is also called the hormone of pleasure. Moreover, these nerve cells have been merged into a single string that performs a certain function.
Since dopamine receptors are associated with the pleasure center, as well as other areas of the brain responsible for emotional displays, Yamada and her colleagues suggest that the mysterious chain is just responsible for our sense of self-worth.
To test this hypothesis, the researchers gathered a group of 24 male volunteers. They first analyzed the number of dopamine receptors and their activity in the brains of subjects, and then staged a last opinion poll. In the survey, the experimenters were interested in how optimistic subjects see the world as far as value themselves and consider themselves attractive to others.
As it turned out, people with high self-esteem number of dopamine neurons was small, and those who suffered from depression and inferiority complex of these cells, in contrast, was a lot.
According to the researchers, these neural chain directly affects our self-esteem. That is, fewer neurons than in the chain, the higher our opinion of themselves. Since most people have a higher than average self-esteem, it can be assumed that the short chain of dopamine neurons - is the norm rather than the exception.
In all likelihood, our brains do not accidentally programmed to increased self-esteem. The knowledge that you are in some ways better than the other (prettier, smarter, more successful, and so on), promotes emotional balance and helps to build a harmonious relationship with the environment. But at the same time, some individuals suffer from a so-called false sense of superiority. That is, they do not just see themselves as better than others, but it is believed that all around - insignificance in comparison with them, so that the act arrogant and pretentious. That, of course, is not conducive to constructive relationship. These people may have problems in communicating with loved ones, friends and colleagues.
At the same time, too long, too much dopamine chains make low self-esteem or depression. This is the other extreme, too, of course, live and let live. Such a person is hard to enjoy life, it is difficult to establish a personal relationship and build a career.
If the mechanism of formation of these neural pathways will be revealed until the end, the scientists will be able to help with certain medical procedures or medications to regulate the number of neurons that affect self-esteem. As a result, we will be able to get rid of a false sense of self-confidence and low self-esteem and depression.
