What Happens in the Brain When We Form a New Habit

A habit is a routine behavior that repeats itself regularly and tends to happen subconsciously. The American Journal of Psychology states that "habit, psychologically, is more or less a fixed way of thinking, wanting, or feeling, developed through the repetition of a mental experience."

As habits develop, our brains begin to focus less and less on the action, becoming almost automatic. This can be a real advantage because it means that we can focus on other things.

Officially, there is no age limit for learning new things and developing new skills, but how do we do that?

At the beginning of learning, the matter of the brain increases in volume, microscopically, then normalizes, partially or completely.

Specifically, the newly created brain cells go through a kind of interview, and those that are not useful for that activity are redistributed or removed.

To simplify the process, we can divide any habit into three basic components:

• Trigger: The moment we become active and our brain guides us to take action in our internal or external space.

• Action or Routine: Good or bad, this is the part of the habit that involves entering into the action of a habit.

• Reward: This is the part of the circle of habits in which our brain receives the reward for the action in the sense of the desired activity. (Or not, as you'll see right away)

As difficult as it is to give up an old habit, it is just as difficult for us to form a new one - this is exactly what happens in the brain when we learn a new habit.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted a study to find out what changes occur in the brain when a habit is formed.

Studies have shown that when we form a new habit, the region of the brain involved in its formation is the same associated with the ability to make decisions.

Although a habit seems like an action for which we do not make any effort, it involves a series of movements in the brain, even if they are imperceptible.

The study on mice showed that when we do something new, a new pattern of signals transmitted to the brain appears. Once this pattern of signals takes root, the habit has formed and the brain no longer exerts effort when the action is taken.

Another study, this time by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, also showed that the brain circuits used for normal actions are triggered in the area of ​​the brain responsible for decision-making, that is, in the orbitofrontal cortex.

Neurochemicals called endocannabinoids to allow habits to set in, helping the decision-making circuit to take a break.

Endocannabinoids are chemicals produced naturally by the human body, but also by some animals. Endocannabinoid receptors are found in both the body and the brain, and the endocannabinoid system is involved in several psychological processes, including appetite, sensitivity to pain, mood, and memory.

At the same time, this system mediates the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Endocannabinoids generally reduce neuronal activity, thus allowing the formation of habits.

Experts say it is extremely important to maintain a balance between habits and actions taken after making decisions. For daily functioning, we must be able to perform routine actions quickly and efficiently, and habits serve this purpose.

On the other hand, we are dealing with changing circumstances in our daily lives, and in such moments we need to give up habits and make momentary decisions.

Habits become a problem in some situations, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or addiction. Patients suffering from such a mental disorder need to break the habit and replace the habit-specific circuit with that of decision-making.

It can be helpful, in giving up a habit, to treat the endocannabinoid system so that the decision-making behavior replaces the one specific to habits. Treatment may be medication or may be based on cognitive behavioral therapy.