Truth, Lies & The Mind's Need To Survive

This episode continues the exploration of how the mind creates its own version of truth. We discuss the psychology and neuroscience of traumatic memory, the role of the conatus in protecting the self, and why the brain rewrites reality to preserve functioning. Drawing on research and realism, we talk about how to observe these processes with compassion and without self-blame. The mind adapted to help you survive — now we can understand it with clarity.Our memories feel accurate — but they are reconstructions shaped by emotion, safety, and survival. In this episode, we explore:- How trauma reshapes memory- Why the brain fills in missing details- The neuroscience of false memory- Why people with altered memories can pass polygraph tests- Research from Elizabeth Loftus and others on memory distortion- Spinoza’s concept of the conatus — the drive to persist- How realism helps us observe the mind without judgementThis is a compassionate look at how the brain protects us, and how to approach our inner narratives with more clarity and less blame. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deborahbutler.substack.com/subscribe