The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time

by Alex Korb

to overcome that through willful action. In this case, “willful” means we consciously and deliberately “put on the brakes” to stop acting out a habit. Willful actions are enacted by the prefrontal cortex, and inhibiting impulses requires proper serotonin function in the prefrontal cortex.