MMLM Ep 15: Primitive Reflexes

These reflexes are automatic responses of the brainstem, so not the cortex.

They're centers in the brainstem.

For example, if a stimulation comes from the environment, For example, a baby touches something, the palm will grasp, and this is the grasping reflex.

And if a baby will turn his or her head right side, the right hand will... stretch and the band the left hand will bend and this is automatic responses and in a certain time after birth in one year some researchers said after three years These reflexes will be inhibited by the cortex because there will be a wave from the brainstem across the upper places of the brain, but they will reach the cortex.

It is really important.

The movement will improve from cell to cell, a line, a network to reach the cortex.

And these movements will stimulate the cells of the cortex, which can produce GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is the main inhibitor in our nervous system.

So this inhibitor from cell to cell will go back to the center of the brainstem, centers of the spine, and inhibit the interneurons, for example, in the spine, and this reflex won't be inhibited anymore in a normal case.

But if a child has some problem, for example, lack of oxygen during the process of the birth or any problem with the mother and with the child, for example, the caesarean section is not so good for children.

Unfortunately, sometimes, of course, it needs, but not in any case, every case.

And the child can't move.

so many times and properly because this reflex pattern has a special movement and they have to produce many, many times when they are really small and this automatic movement will develop the brain.

And we use these types of movements to make a line, make a way to reach the cortex, to emerge the cells to produce GABA, gamma-aminobutic acid, and when this neurotransmitter will appear, it can inhibit a certain reflex.

And there is a more efficient way when we do exercises against the primitive reflex.

For example, if we are talking about the grasping, the grasp is the special movement of the grasping reflex, but let something open the palm, it is against the primitive reflex, and this movement is more efficient.

And all of the primitive reflexes that we are speaking about, by the way, there are lots, 70 or 100, I don't know exactly, but we validated and standardized the test, and it has 18 primitive reflexes, and we know which kind of exercises can inhibit these primitive reflexes.

Many times when I make a test with a child who has some problem, for example, sensory process disorder, I found that he is about, I don't know, six years old and he has problems.

15 primitive reflexes and it is not normal.

If somebody moves enough and does the movements of the primitive reflexes properly, it wouldn't possible.

So I think that is a main problem that children don't move enough and not just in their early childhood, later as well.

So movement is really important for our brain because this is the first way to improve our brain.

And after that, we can build lots of things on top of that.

Cognitive skills and creativity and so on.

But the first step is really important because without that, there won't be anything which can hold the whole life together.