The Day Your Brain Invented 'You'-Exploring realms of neuroscience my way pt 5

 The Day Your Brain Invented 'You'

Hi! Presenting yet another series special—today let us peep within our brain and ask it, "How do you know I am me?"

I love thinking about such odd questions popping into my brain about itself! I happened to read something about 'Ahamkara'—the feeling of self, the identification of self. That fascinated me. Why would our brain biologically be programmed for something like that? Is identity just a piece of information fed to it, or is identity actually a mechanism?

Let's begin unfolding this mystery. 

First of all, our heart develops before our brain during intrauterine development. So, a thought crossed my mind—could our heart have given our brain its first identity? While science doesn't support this directly, it is certainly an interesting way to think about where the feeling of "self" begins.

The progression of identity is fascinating. Up to around 2 years, our brain gradually learns the difference between self and others. Between 2–6 years, children identify themselves vaguely through what they are called—their name, family, surname, and familiar relationships.

Next, our schooling plays a very important role. Between 6–12 years, it becomes an exploring stage. With the help of peers, similarities and differences, likes and dislikes—you slowly get to know you. That's right. While you're getting to know the world for the first time, you're also getting to know yourself—and most of the time, you aren't even aware of it.

Next comes one of the most decisive periods of answering "Who am I?"—roughly 12–25 years. This is the phase of exploration and analysis based on observation, relationships, and social interactions. Beliefs build up, ideologies begin to settle, and your sense of self becomes increasingly stable. One major takeaway is that 12–25 years is crucial not only for identity but also for personality development.

The part of the brain involved in this is largely the prefrontal cortex, especially the medial prefrontal cortex, which plays an important role in self-referential thinking, planning, values, decision-making, moral judgement, and long-term goals. Research shows that it becomes active when we think about questions such as Who am I? Am I kind? What do I believe?

Along with it, the posterior cingulate cortex and the hippocampus also contribute to knowing yourself. These regions are involved in daydreaming, self-reflection, personal identification, and something called autobiographical memory.

Well, these are just a few of the structures involved. Several neurotransmitters also play their part. You feel good when someone appreciates you. You feel happy when something beneficial happens to you. This itself is proof that identity is not just a piece of data but an intricate system.

The mechanism starts with healthy brain development, followed by temperament, environmental inputs, learning experiences, memories, emotions, self-reflection, values, goals—and finally, a relatively stable personal identity.

My favourite part of writing is presenting literature and science.

Erik Erikson's theory describes the stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion, which generally occurs during adolescence. If one becomes clear about who they are and what they are supposed to do, it leads to healthier self-esteem, confidence, goals, and direction. Hence, during this age, parents, caregivers, teachers, and individuals themselves should be aware of what is being fed to the brain.

Another interesting theory states that we are the main character of our own story, and our brain builds information around it. That's why autobiographical memory is centred around you—the person who underwent those experiences and recalls them later.

So, was there any particular moment when you were invented?

Yes and no.

It wasn't a single moment—it was a process. One of the earliest milestones was when your brain associated a name with you and became capable of responding to it as you. Then more experiences became associated with that identity, and gradually your brain constructed a certain image of you.

Now let us talk about another interesting concept—self-awareness.

Like other higher mental functions, self-awareness is not situated in one single part of the brain but emerges from multiple interacting brain regions. Recognising yourself as distinct from others and reflecting upon your own thoughts and actions is what we call self-awareness.

Experiencing the self can broadly be of two kinds.

The first is the minimal self. Close your eyes—you can still maintain balance, move your body with precision, speak fluently, and act naturally. Your brain constantly knows where your body is in space.

The second is the narrative self.

That voice in your head? Yes—it is a part of your identity. It narrates your memories, reminds you to check whether you locked the door, knows what you like and dislike, and helps maintain the story of who you are.

Brain regions involved here include the anterior cingulate cortex, insula, posterior cingulate cortex, and several interconnected networks.

A very interesting experiment—the mirror test—shows how babies of different age groups behave when a small mark is placed on their forehead.

Children younger than about 18 months usually touch the mirror, smile, or believe another child is present. Those between 18–24 months, however, often touch their own forehead after seeing the reflection. This demonstrates self-recognition, which is considered an important milestone in developing self-awareness.

Such a mystical thing is our identity.

But my opinion is that one should be very careful while developing one. Set standards for your own self-recognition. Be vigilant about what you feed your brain because that is what slowly constructs your identity. Before telling the world what you are, it should first be clear to you.

I picked this topic because it is so intricate and self-reflective.

Here's an exercise.

Ask yourself, "Who am I?" Then write down the first five words that come to your mind. Those words may tell you how your brain has constructed your own sense of self.

Many young people today seem stressed, unclear about their goals, and simply want to camouflage themselves to fit in. They remain unaware of themselves and often lose originality of thought.

But why is all this important?

It's simple and modest—to become the best human being we can possibly be. To grow, to enhance our own brain and the brains around us, and to build a narrative within ourselves that is clear, potent, and intentionally chosen.

Such an intricate system was built by nature so you could be you.

Then why copy?

Why be influenced by everything around you?

Why remain unaware of yourself?

Be OG. Get clarity. Create. And win.

— Shrutika V. Patankar ©️

Ref: Principles of Neural Science by Kandel, Development Through Life by Berk, and Erikson's Identity: Youth and Crisis).