Understanding the brain in survival mode

The human brain operates in two primary modes: the learning brain and the survival brain. These modes influence how individuals perceive and respond to their environment. Stress, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can impact individuals’ behavior and well-being by shifting the brain into survival mode. Stress can make simple tasks feel overwhelming, which reflects the transition from the learning brain to the survival brain. Understanding these modes and their triggers is crucial for navigating optimal well-being.^[1][2]

The learning brain refers to the part of the brain that is engaged when individuals are in a state of calm and safety and encompasses regions of the brain responsible for higher-order cognitive functions such as reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, impulse control, plan for the future, and regulate their emotions effectively. This mode of operation fosters learning, growth, and adaptation to new experiences.When the learning brain is activated, individuals can think more clearly and access their cognitive abilities effectively. This mindset is characterized by openness to new concepts and eagerness for personal growth and development. In the learning brain mode, individuals can absorb new information.^{[3][4][5][6][7]}

In contrast, the survival brain, also referred to as the primitive brain or the reptilian brain, governs instinctual responses to perceived threats and dangers and emerges when individuals feel overwhelmed mentally or emotionally, hindering their ability to process new information. The amygdala and the hypothalamus are activated, triggering the release of stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline. This mode of operation prioritizes rapid, automatic responses to threats, bypassing higher cognitive functions in favor of instinctual reactions. In this state, individuals may have difficulty thinking logically or accessing higher-level cognitive functions. Instead, their focus shifts to immediate survival instincts; it signifies that the brain is prioritizing immediate survival needs over cognitive tasks. This mode is focused on ensuring one’s survival amidst challenging circumstances.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Causes of Survival Brain

Trauma, stress, and ACEs can profoundly impact the brain's functioning, often causing it to enter survival mode. When individuals experience trauma or chronic stress, particularly during critical periods of brain development in childhood, it can dysregulate the brain's stress response systems and sensitize the survival brain. Marginalized groups of people often find themselves disproportionately affected by trauma and stress due to systemic inequalities and discrimination embedded within society, such as racism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia.^{[12][13][14][15][16][17]}

These individuals can face additional obstacles, including economic hardship, social exclusion, and institutionalized oppression, which can perpetuate cycles of trauma and adversity.^[18] The pervasive nature of systemic injustices, inflicts profound psychological and emotional wounds, exacerbating stress and hindering individuals' ability to thrive.^{[19][20][21][22][23]}

A brain that has experienced trauma becomes hypersensitive to potential threats, leading to exaggerated fear responses and heightened arousal levels even in non-threatening situations.^[24][25][26] Additionally, ACEs can disrupt the development of the learning brain, impairing cognitive functioning and emotional regulation skills.^[27][28] As a result, individuals who have experienced trauma or ACEs may frequently find themselves operating in survival mode, even in the absence of immediate threats. In this state, they may exhibit a range of behaviors aimed at self-preservation, such as hypervigilance, avoidance, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. These behaviors serve as adaptive responses to past experiences of trauma or adversity but can interfere with daily functioning and relationships.^[29] Overall, understanding the interplay between the learning brain and the survival brain sheds light on how trauma and stress shape individuals' neurological responses and behaviors. By recognizing the signs of survival mode activation and providing trauma-informed support and interventions, individuals and organizations can help promote healing, resilience, and well-being in those affected by trauma and ACEs.^[30]

Understanding the interplay between the learning brain and survival brain is essential in trauma-informed practice, and recognizing the intersectionality of trauma and oppression is essential in addressing the unique needs of marginalized communities and fostering inclusive environments that prioritize healing and resilience. By creating environments that promote a sense of safety and calm, individuals can shift from survival mode to learning mode, enabling them to engage more effectively with learning, problem-solving, and personal growth.

How is this relevant to librarianship?

In the context of librarianship, understanding the dynamics between the learning brain and survival brain is crucial for providing effective support and resources to library users. Academic environments can be inherently stressful, with students facing pressures related to academic performance, deadlines, and personal challenges. When stress levels rise, students may struggle to engage with learning materials, access information effectively, or seek help from library staff.

Recognizing the signs of survival brain activation in library users can guide librarians in providing empathetic and responsive support. For instance, if a student appears visibly distressed or struggles to articulate their needs, it may indicate that they are operating in survival mode, prioritizing immediate survival instincts over cognitive tasks. In such situations, librarians can adopt trauma-informed approaches to create safe and supportive spaces where individuals feel understood and validated.

Understanding the underlying causes of survival brain activation, such as chronic stress or trauma, can also inform the development of library programs and services aimed at promoting mental health and well-being. Academic libraries can offer resources on stress management, relaxation techniques, and mental health awareness to empower students to navigate challenges effectively and build resilience.

By fostering environments that prioritize safety, calmness, and inclusivity, academic libraries can help individuals transition from survival mode to learning mode, enabling them to engage more effectively with educational resources and pursue their academic goals. In doing so, librarians play a pivotal role in supporting the holistic well-being and academic success of their communities.

Understanding the learning brain and survival brain dynamics is fundamental to trauma-informed librarianship as it enables libraries to recognize the signs of survival brain activation in patrons and provide a safe space for them to navigate challenges and build resilience. By identifying when individuals are operating in survival mode—prioritizing immediate survival instincts over cognitive tasks—librarians can offer empathetic and responsive support tailored to patrons' needs. Creating environments that prioritize safety, calmness, and inclusivity allows patrons to feel understood and validated, fostering a sense of security necessary for healing and growth. Through this understanding, libraries can play a crucial role in helping patrons transition from survival mode to learning mode, empowering them to engage effectively with resources and services and ultimately build resilience in the face of adversity.

Building resilience through trauma informed practices

It is known that ACEs can lead to poor adult health.^[31] While ACEs can be traumatic and can have negative effects on an individual, people who have experienced ACEs or other forms of trauma can still live healthy and fulfilling lives.^[32][33][34] Studies have found that we can mitigate the negative effects of ACEs by promoting and building resilience.^[35][36][37] When confronted with adversity, resilience emerges as a pivotal factor mitigating the impact of trauma.^[38][39] Resilience, a multifaceted construct, encompasses an array of individual attributes and systemic resources that serve as protective mechanisms.^[40] Widely defined as "a dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation within the context of significant adversity"^[41], resilience functions both as a promotive and protective factor, facilitating individuals' ability to navigate and rebound from stressful life events^[42]

In higher education, there has been a surge in professional development opportunities for faculty and staff focused on fostering and enhancing student resilience, highlighting the growing significance and recognition of resilience training in academia. While initially appearing benign and possibly advantageous, these discussions pose challenges or risks for individuals already navigating expectations incongruent with their reality and those facing systemic oppression and marginalization, emphasizing and reinforcing the individual- deficit model of disability, "where those who struggle in some way are seen as problematic for not being adequately resilient."^[43] Resilience discourse aims to mitigate distress and disability across populations but inadvertently establishes a harmful ideal centered on celebrating individual adversity. These discourses not only perpetuate notions of difference, disability, and distress as obstacles to overcome but also hinder efforts towards inclusion and accessibility. Rather than placing the burden of change on individuals, addressing systemic inequities requires comprehensive systemic change.^[44][45]

Trauma-informed practices are instrumental in fostering resilience in individuals and communities without upholding this ableist approach^{[46][47][48][49][50]} Resilience, in essence, is the ability to bounce back from adversity and thrive despite challenging circumstances. By recognizing the profound impact of trauma on individuals' lives and behaviors, trauma-informed approaches provide a supportive framework for promoting resilience without putting additional blame, pressure, or inadequacy on the individual. These practices prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment, creating environments where patrons feel validated and understood. Libraries, at their best, can act as spaces that often serve as community hubs and can even play a crucial role in promoting resilience among patrons. Through trauma-informed interventions, such as providing access to relevant resources, offering supportive programming, and facilitating connections with community support services, libraries can help individuals develop coping skills, establish supportive relationships, and regain a sense of control over their lives. By fostering a sense of agency and promoting positive coping mechanisms, libraries contribute to the cultivation of resilience among their patrons. Additionally, trauma-informed approaches underscore the importance of addressing systemic barriers and promoting social connectedness, further enhancing individuals' ability to overcome trauma and thrive. Ultimately, by integrating trauma-informed principles into their services and programs, libraries empower individuals to navigate adversity, cultivate resilience, and lead fulfilling lives.