Meet Amy and Priya: The Two Brain Parts That Control Your Chaos
Have you ever completely lost your sh*t over something small? Maybe you yelled at your partner for leaving a dish in the sink, or you spiraled into a full-blown panic attack because your boss sent a one-word email.
In those moments, it feels like you’re being hijacked. And in a way, you are.
I want to introduce you to the two most important characters in your brain’s emotional drama: Amy and Priya. Understanding their relationship is the key to mastering your emotional responses and reclaiming your inner wisdom.
I use the science of this brain partnership to help my clients in Burlington and Oakville move from constant reaction to thoughtful response.
Amy: The Brain’s Smoke Detector (The Amygdala)
Let’s start with Amy.
Official Name: The Amygdala
Location: Deep within your brain’s temporal lobes, shaped like a tiny almond. You have two of them.
Purpose: Amy is your brain’s smoke detector and security guard. Her job is to scan the environment 24/7 for threats. She is fast, primal, and doesn't care about context. If she senses danger (real or perceived), she immediately sounds the alarm, triggering your fight-or-flight response.
When Amy is in Charge: You feel reactive, panicked, or aggressive. Your heart races, your breath is shallow, and you can’t think straight. Amy is all about survival.
Priya: The Wise CEO (The Medial Prefrontal Cortex)
Now, meet Priya.
Official Name: The Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC)
Location: Right behind your forehead, in the front-middle part of your brain.
Purpose: Priya is the Wise CEO and the ultimate emotional regulator. Her job is to handle executive functions, like planning, decision-making, empathy, and, most importantly, emotional control. She is rational, reflective, and sees the big picture.
When Priya is in Charge: You feel calm, reflective, and able to pause before reacting. You can choose your response rather than just reacting. Priya is all about connection and long-term well-being.
The Partnership: Why Amy Needs Priya
In a healthy, regulated brain, Amy and Priya work together like a well-oiled machine.
Amy Sounds the Alarm: A car cuts you off in traffic (a perceived threat). Amy immediately screams, "DANGER! FIGHT!"
Priya Checks the Facts: Priya quickly steps in and says, "Hold on, Amy. I see the car. We are safe. We can slow down. There is no immediate threat to life."
Amy Stands Down: Priya sends an inhibitory signal to Amy, calming the alarm.
The problem is that chronic stress, trauma, and anxiety weaken the connection between them. When you are constantly stressed, Priya gets tired and doesn’t communicate as well. This is when Amy takes over, leading to an amygdala hijack—a total emotional meltdown where your primal brain is running the show. This is the complexity of life showing up in your brain chemistry.
How to Strengthen the Amy & Priya Relationship
The good news is that you can strengthen the neural pathway between Amy and Priya. This is the goal of my therapy for emotional regulation in Burlington and Oakville. It’s about building a stronger bridge so Priya can always hear Amy’s alarm and respond thoughtfully.
Try These Practices & How They Help Amy & Priya Work Together
Name It to Tame It: When Amy is screaming, Priya labels the emotion: "I am feeling angry." This simple act forces Priya to engage, which immediately calms Amy down.
The Long Exhale: Deep, slow breathing (an ancient practice often found in yoga) signals safety to the nervous system, allowing Priya to come back online and take control.
Mindful Movement: Activities like walking, stretching, or gentle yoga (where sweating is okay) help discharge the physical energy Amy creates, allowing Priya to regulate the system.
Challenge the Thought: Priya questions Amy's alarm: "Is this really a life-or-death situation, or is it just a messy kitchen?" This is the cognitive work that builds Priya's authority.
I believe we are stronger together, and that includes the partnership between your brain parts. If you’re ready to stop being hijacked by Amy and let Priya lead with inner wisdom, I am here to help.
Ready for a calm body and quiet mind?
