Why Psychology, Neuroscience, and Extreme Environments?
People often ask how I became involved in psychology, neuroscience, and research in extreme environments. The answer is layered—but deeply personal.
From a young age, I was exposed to a level of chaos that no one should ever have to endure. When I reached an age where I could finally make my own decisions, I made a promise to myself: to walk away from that part of my life—for good. And I did.
But humans are creatures of habit. And even when we try to leave the past behind, we sometimes find ourselves repeating patterns or tolerating dysfunction simply because we’ve become desensitized to toxic environments—or the people in them.
Despite decades of no contact with those you’d assume would be closest to me, chaos still found its way in. It wasn’t until I began studying the brain and human behavior that I began to understand what that chaos was—and more importantly, why certain people exhibit it.
The Truth About Dark Triad Personalities
Terms like “narcissist” and “psychopath” are often misused—thanks in large part to media sensationalism. But Dark Triad personalities—those who display narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—aren’t just “difficult people.”
They often have measurable differences in brain function. Regions of the brain that regulate empathy, guilt, or moral reasoning are frequently underactive—or, in some cases, completely inactive. That’s what makes these personalities not just harmful, but dangerously manipulative.
Extreme environments aren’t only defined by weather, altitude, or terrain. They can be psychological and emotional landscapes, too—environments shaped by toxic human behavior. A space becomes “extreme” when the people in it manufacture conflict, control others, or create an emotional war zone.
Spot the Chaos — and Shut It Down
Ask yourself: Is my environment peaceful? Or has someone turned it into a battlefield I never signed up for?
One of the most common tactics of a Dark Triad personality is triangulation—pulling others into conflict under the guise of concern or helpfulness, all while maintaining their own image of innocence. They manipulate behind the scenes, planting seeds of discord in unsuspecting individuals and stepping back to watch the drama unfold.
Remember: an enemy of my enemy is my friend—a mantra these personalities live by.
The Cure: No Contact
If you find yourself repeatedly dragged into situations you’re trying to move on from—if someone keeps bringing up pain you’re trying to leave behind—you may have a Dark Triad personality in your midst.
The best way to stop their chaos is simple:
Cut it off at the head.
Go No Contact.
Block them—completely.
Disconnect from anyone acting as a bridge back to that chaos.
No Contact isn’t cruelty. It’s clarity. It’s protection.
It’s your peace. 💡
