Research in neuropsychology is opening up exciting prospects: specially designed stimuli can temporarily neutralize instinctive reactions, allowing the neocortex to take control of the decision‐making process.

Silencing Instinct: Techniques for Harnessing Rational Control

Research in neuropsychology is opening up exciting prospects: specially designed stimuli can temporarily neutralize instinctive reactions, allowing the neocortex to take control of the decision‐making process. Imagine an effect where high volume and repetitive rhythmic patterns literally “shut down” parts of the brain governed by ancient survival mechanisms—here, rational thinking becomes prominent, enabling one to perceive a situation without the usual emotional intensity. Another radical method involves creating conditions of complete isolation; for example, confining someone to a small, dark room removes the usual supports of the psyche, returning the person to a state where their nervous system can be easily reprogrammed. These techniques aim to shift the balance between automatic responses and logic, opening new horizons in our understanding of the brain’s workings and the potential ways to control it. Undoubtedly, such approaches challenge our concept of mental resilience and present science with ambitious tasks in the pursuit of mastering our own reactions.

What psychotechnical techniques allow one to disable the limbic system so that the neocortex and rational thinking dominate?

An essential approach is the use of specially constructed stimuli that temporarily suppress the brain’s automatic reactions—the ones associated with survival and emotional response—thus allowing the neocortex to override more primitive structures. In particular, one method involves applying high sound levels and repetitive rhythmic patterns, which are capable of “turning off” brain functions. As noted in the source, “Volume and rhythm of sound. It is known that brain functions can be shut down under the influence of high sound volume. Therefore, performances by very loud bands often end in mass hysteria, and the person becomes uncontrollable. In addition to high volume, a similar effect can be achieved through repetitive melodic and rhythmic phrases—that is, riffs...” (source: link txt).

Another method involves creating conditions in which habitual emotional mechanisms and reflex responses are neutralized. For example, isolating the subject—such as placing them in a small, dark room—deprives the individual of the opportunity to use conventional social and emotional supports, returning them to a state of “imprint vulnerability.” This condition, characteristic of an early developmental stage, allows the neural systems to be reprogrammed, thereby reducing the influence of the bio-survival circuit, which is usually associated with the limbic system (source: link txt).

Such psychotechnical methods, by targeting specific aspects of the nervous system’s operation, can alter the balance between instinctive and rational processes, enabling the neocortex to more effectively implement rational thinking.

Supporting citation(s):
“Volume and rhythm of sound. It is known that brain functions can be shut down under the influence of high sound volume. Therefore, performances by very loud bands often end in mass hysteria, and the individual becomes uncontrollable. In addition to high volume, a similar effect can be achieved through repetitive melodic and rhythmic phrases—that is, riffs...” (source: link txt)

“When the bio-survival circuit signals danger, all other forms of mental activity cease. This is a very important moment for reprogramming the brain: to form a new imprint, the subject must be returned to a state of infancy, that is, to the state of imprint vulnerability of the first circuit. The first step on this path is to isolate the subject. For this purpose, an ideal place can be a small dark room, because here social, emotional, and mental techniques that previously guaranteed survival do not operate...” (source: link txt)