Tongue Tension = Brain Noise? Neuroscience Behind Subtle Stress Triggers

Name: Tongue Tension = Brain Noise? Neuroscience Behind Subtle Stress Triggers
Uploaded: 2025-06-24T17:00:51+00:00
Duration: 55 s
Channel: Claudia von Boeselager
Description: In this brief talk, the speaker explains that the tension patterns of the tongue reflect ongoing internal mental chatter, as the tongue subtly shifts its…

24 Jun 2025 · 1 min

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In this brief talk, the speaker explains that the tension patterns of the tongue reflect ongoing internal mental chatter, as the tongue subtly shifts its configuration in line with our thoughts. By intentionally softening the tongue, one can disrupt subvocalization—the silent inner speech that fuels the mind’s narrative—allowing the mind to become quieter with practice. This inner quiet is described as a sense of spaciousness and stillness, which the speaker argues is crucial because much of the stress people feel stems not from external circumstances but from the stories they tell about those circumstances. Gaining control over these internal narratives, through the simple physiological cue of tongue relaxation, can therefore transform one’s experience of stress and overall mental well‑being.

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The tension patterns of our tongue are the correlates of our internal mental chatter. The tongue is constantly shifting its configuration according to what we're thinking about. So when we intentionally soften the tongue, it disrupts subvocalization, and then with a little bit of practice, the mind can actually go quiet. This is really important because A lot of people do not experience a sense of inner quiet, and in that sense of inner quiet is also a sense of spaciousness and stillness. This is important because so much of our stress that we experience is a function not of our life situation, but our stories about our life situation. And when you are in charge of your stories, it changes everything.