You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb (Heroic Wisdom Daily)
Nov 14, 2025
Dive into the neuroscience of overcoming depression and discover how it can be viewed as a reversible brain loop. Learn how worry and rumination can deepen feelings of sadness, and why moving and exercising can spark a positive shift. Explore the power of small decisions to regain mental control, along with the vital roles of sleep, gratitude, and social connections in building resilience. Remember, depression doesn’t define you—small daily changes can guide you toward healing.
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Depression As A Brain Loop
- Depression is a self-reinforcing brain loop rather than a personal failing.
- Neural circuits between the emotional limbic and thinking prefrontal brain can fall out of sync and drag you downward.
Rumination Deepens The Spiral
- Worry and rumination deepen negative spirals by fueling anxiety circuits.
- Fixating on negative possibilities pushes your brain lower and sustains the loop.
Move First, Feel Better Later
- Move first and feel better second by using exercise to stimulate mood-related circuits.
- Make small decisions to engage the prefrontal cortex and regain control over emotion.
