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Your autopilot mode is real

The brain's "autopilot" mode, controlled by the default mode network (DMN), allows us to perform routine tasks without conscious effort, streamlining actions with minimal attention. Discovered in the 1990s, the DMN is active even when we aren't focused. Research shows that when we master tasks, like driving or tying shoelaces, brain activity shifts from learning-related regions to the DMN. This enables faster and more accurate performance without much thought. However, the downside is that while on autopilot, the brain is more prone to distractions, potentially drifting away from the task at hand.


 
 
 

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