The Right Supramarginal Gyrus, The Area Of ​​empathy

Few processes are as refined, humanized and complex as empathy. This psychological trade requires, almost above all, that we are able to detach ourselves for a moment from our emotional reality, in order to perceive and understand the other’s. This process is possible, in part, thanks to a specific brain area: the right supramarginal gyrus.

It’s funny how most of us try to cultivate and foster empathy in others without fully understanding how it works. Fortunately, science offers us every day new and fascinating information that, without a doubt, help us to improve this ‘social glue’ that makes interaction so easy.

One example: as the Max Planck Institute explained in 2013, people feel much more empathy when they’re feeling good. Someone who is stressed, anxious, worried, or discouraged will have a harder time deciphering and understanding other people’s emotional states in context.

Likewise, a lifestyle marked by haste and immediacy diminishes our capacity for empathy. Somehow the brain, and specifically the right supramarginal gyrus, needs to rest in a calm state to carry out the complex processes that shape empathy.  Let’s learn more about the subject.

What is the right supramarginal gyrus and what are its functions?

The supramarginal gyrus is a convolution of the brain located in the inferior parietal lobe. It is located just above the Silvio fissure, between the Wernicke area. This gyrus is distributed in the brain bilaterally (remember, this means there is one on the left and one on the right).

We know that the supramarginal gyrus is related to higher cognitive processes such as reading and writing, working memory and learning. Now, it should be noted that the right supramarginal gyrus hides many more secrets than the left.

The right supramarginal gyrus regulates egocentric biases

If there is something decisive in the development of our personality, it is to have a sense of identity that is very different from others. This gives us a self-reference in each situation, allows us to separate our identity from the others to position ourselves and have our own identity.

Now, a strong sense of identity is a potential obstacle to empathy. No one can understand others if they cannot get out of their own circumstances. Therefore, one of the most relevant functions of the right supramarginal gyrus is to slightly squelch the ‘I’ figure  so that we can open up to others and tune in to realities and needs.

A study by doctors

Avoid “emotional contagion”

We already know that one of the tasks of the right supramarginal gyrus is to facilitate human connection, first by slightly reducing the voice of our ‘I’ to avoid judgments dominated by the ego figure. Now, this data is also interesting. Another process that regulates is the so-called emotional “kidnapping”, that is, the reality of the other ends up diluting us completely.

An example of ’emotional kidnapping’ would be being with someone close to you who has broken up with their partner and being highly affected by their experience. This blockage, this impregnation, is never useful. Nobody can help or support in these cases: empathy – as a help tool – is useless without a way back.

So the right supramarginal turn is like that perfect balance point that safeguards our ‘I’. He does this by facilitating emotional connection, but also protecting your integrity.

We can all improve the functionality of the right supramarginal gyrus

The right supramarginal turn is also related to dimensions as relevant as compassion and kindness. However, it has some ‘enemies’ that hinder its functionality, or at least the fact that we can use our empathy 100%. These options are as follows:

• Stress.
• Anxiety.
• Concerns.
• Certain mood disorders (such as depression) and personality disorders  (such as psychopathic personality)
• A busy lifestyle, marked by running and hyperactivity.

Neuroscience says that we can all improve or enhance our empathic functionality in different ways. These would be some examples.

• We should try, as far as possible, to lead  a more relaxed and relaxed lifestyle.
• The practice of mindfulness can help us train our attention. A mind capable of discriminating priorities at all times understands the need to connect with other people and has even more resources to do so.
• Another priority in our day will undoubtedly be to  manage our stress better.
• Likewise, it never hurts to force ourselves to be more altruistic on a daily basis. Practicing kindness, whenever possible, greatly reverts to our well-being and this need for openness towards others.