Hacking the Default Mode Network

How to stop your brain’s autopilot from fueling rumination

Your brain has two main modes:

• The task-positive network (TPN), which kicks in when you’re focused on something (like driving, writing, or cooking), and

• The default mode network (DMN), which comes online when your mind is at rest. The DMN is what fuels daydreaming, memory, and imagination. It’s useful for creativity and reflection—but it can also be a t…