What does your brain think about Thanksgiving?

The holiday season is officially upon us. As a neuropsychologist, I find myself fascinated by what happens in our brains during Thanksgiving. Beyond the turkey and pumpkin pie, this holiday offers a unique window into how gratitude and social connection literally reshape our neural pathways.

The Science Behind Giving Thanks

When you pause to express gratitude, whether it's for the feast in front of you or the loved ones around your table, your brain’s activity starts to increase tremendously. The act of feeling thankful activates areas in the prefrontal cortex and the ventral tegmental area – areas associated with reward, pleasure, and social bonding. This explains why genuine gratitude feels so good - it's literally triggering your brain's reward system.

Your brain releases dopamine and serotonin when you experience gratitude. These are the same brain chemicals targeted by many anti-depressant medications. These "feel-good" chemicals don't just improve your mood momentarily – they create lasting changes in your brain when practiced regularly.

The cycle of gratitude

The Social Brain at the Thanksgiving Table

Why Sharing Meals Matters
That warm feeling you get when gathering around the Thanksgiving table isn't just from the hot turkey – it's your brain's social network in action. Sharing meals with others triggers the release of oxytocin (aka the "bonding hormone") which strengthens social connections and trust. This explains why family meals (despite the fact that they can be stressful at times!) continue to be such an impactful tradition.

The Mirror Neuron Effect
When you're passing dishes around the table and sharing stories, your brain's mirror neurons are hard at work. These specialized cells help you understand and empathize with others. In turn, shared experiences are more meaningful and memorable.

The Lasting Impact of Gratitude

Regular gratitude practice creates actual changes in your brain. People who consistently practice gratitude show:

• Increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (the area associated with learning and decision-making)

• Enhanced responsiveness in brain regions associated with reward and moral cognition

• Better emotional regulation

Making Gratitude Your Daily Practice

While Thanksgiving provides a reminder to be grateful, the real brain benefits come from consistent practice. Here are some science-backed ways to support gratitude:

• Morning Mindset
  Start each day by noting 3 specific things you're grateful for. Believe it or not, this simple practice helps set your brain's filter to notice more positive aspects throughout your day.

• The Gratitude Letter
  Write a letter expressing gratitude to someone who has impacted your life. Even if you never send it, the act of writing activates multiple neural networks associated with emotional processing and memory.

• Mindful Moments
  Take short pauses during your day to notice and appreciate small pleasures – the warmth of sunlight, a kind gesture from a stranger, or the taste of your morning coffee. These micro-moments of gratitude add up to create lasting change in your brain.

Practicing gratitude

Beyond Thanksgiving

The cool part of understanding the neuroscience behind gratitude is realizing that we don't need to wait for Thanksgiving to reap its benefits. Every time you express genuine appreciation, you're not just making someone else feel good – you're literally rewiring your brain for your own benefit. Think of gratitude as a form of mental exercise. Just as physical exercise strengthens your muscles, regular gratitude practice strengthens the neural pathways that make positive thinking more automatic. Over time, this can lead to a cycle of improved mood, better stress management, and stronger social connections.

As you gather around your Thanksgiving table this year, remember that you're doing more than participating in a tradition – you're engaging in a powerful practice that can change your brain and elevate your well-being. The key part here is to carry this practice forward. Turn every day into a “thanksgiving” opportunity. Your brain is curious – what are you truly grateful for today? Your brain thanks you for thinking about it.