Your Brain Is a Story Addict

And It’s Lying to You Right Now

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Your Brain Is a Story Addict

And It’s Lying to You Right Now

The Science

Your brain is wired for story.

Not just interested in story. Not just entertained by story.
Wired. Addicted. Dependent.

When you hear a story—or even start imagining one—your brain lights up in ways that go far beyond language or memory. It activates your emotional centers, your sensory cortex, even your motor systems.

Your brain treats a story like it’s real.

Why? Because story was never just about entertainment. It was about survival.

The brain evolved to fill in the blanks, connect the dots, and predict the future. And it does that using stories.

Stories tell us what to fear, who to trust, how to act, and what something means—all in a fraction of a second.

It’s fast. It’s efficient. It’s the super power of the human race.

There is only one problem with it.

Sometimes…it’s dead wrong.

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What That Means

It means that the most dangerous stories in your life are the ones you don’t even realize you’re telling.

We’ve all done it:

She said she’d call.
She didn’t.
So you start writing the script in your head:

“She finally realized I’m not worth the effort. Of course. It was only a matter of time.”

Then your phone buzzes.

“Sorry! I totally fell asleep. Crazy day.”

Or this one:

You’re driving to work.
A guy cuts you off. Nearly sideswipes you.

“What a selfish jerk. Thinks he owns the road. Probably a narcissist who yells at his kids.”

But what if he’s rushing his sick daughter to the ER?

Or he’s the kindest, most thoughtful guy on the freeway—but just didn’t see you.

Or this:

You walk past a coworker and say good morning. They don’t respond.

Your brain:

“They’re mad at me. What did I do? Was it that thing I said in the meeting last week?”

Reality? They had AirPods in. Never heard you.

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Here’s the truth:

You are constantly living in stories you make up.

Let me say that again.

You are constantly living in stories you make up.

You’re doing it right now.

Some of them are harmless.
Some of them are helpful.
But some of them are wrecking your relationships, sabotaging your self-worth, and keeping you stuck.

And you don’t even realize it’s happening.

Because the brain hates an unfinished story.
So it immediately finishes it.
With whatever scraps it can find.

Which means this:

You need to notice the stories you’re already telling yourself.

Then—and only then—can you decide if they deserve to be believed.