What does it mean to be a kid at heart?
This prompt gives me the excuse to talk about the PCC node. The posterior cingulate cortex . It’s a tiny node in the center top of our brain. I first heard about it when I read Michael Pollan’s book ‘How to Change Your Mind’
I became a little obsessed because in learning about it’s existence and how it works, a few things were explained for me.
When we are born our PCC node is open and flexible. It controls our inhibitions, our optimism, our intuitive openness among other childlike qualities we have. As we age this node closes and becomes more ridged. During the teen years the closing is the most significant and obvious. That child lightness disappears for some people forever. Scientists have found that people on psychedelics and or alcohol, feel that little node open. A person might feel the lightness and childlike worry free wonder they did when they were young.
Before I learned about this node, I remember talking about how it was weird when I was going into the teen years I always felt so much younger than my peers. They were already smoking and talking like immature adults while I still wanted to make up games and get out my crayons. I would describe my brain as a brain that remained oddly open. Like it was supposed to close and be certain about things and it forgot to.
I never figured out why, but my brain seemed off. I struggled with routine and practical matters, but if there was ever a need for out of the box reasoning, Id excel. My brain has to be reminded that there even is a box. This can exasperate a lot of people. I try really hard to be respectful and polite but Impertinence happens. For a while I was labeled a dumb blonde and believed it. No one could explain how I got high grades or how I managed to get into the college I went to.
I will tell you this. I always have a different perspective on anything. I can’t help it. I relate better to my six and seven year old granddaughters then I do with most grownups. I might even have more respect for their opinions. Open mindedness feels like oxygen. When I meet other open minded people I relax. Extreme in-the-box thinking feels like a straight jacket to my brain. I realize this feels safe and good to others, so I recognize the importance of grown up thinking. I get it. Our brains are meant to specialize. They don’t need to wonder and question, as we age, they need to help us perform.
So I went along as a flawed Pipi Longstocking like grown up. I accepted it as much as I could. Found creative ways to work around my weak areas. Then one day I read about that node and decided that it was a weird gift. Mine closes sometimes but bounces back open. I’m not a kid at heart, I’m kid like in my brain thanks to a faulty node. It’s usually fun. I don’t mind it anymore.
Peace Kit 