What is the Reticular Activating System, in your brain?

The Reticular Activating System: Your Brain’s Filter for Focus

Why You Don’t Notice Everything Around You

Think about it: right now your body is receiving signals from the chair you’re sitting on, the background sounds in the room, the clothes against your skin, and countless other details. Yet you’re probably not aware of most of them. That’s because your brain has a powerful filtering system that decides what gets your attention and what gets ignored. This is the job of the Reticular Activating System (RAS).

How Much Information Does the Brain Handle?

• Neuroscientists estimate the human brain receives about 11 million bits of information every second from the senses.

• But your conscious mind can only handle around 40–120 bits per second.

That means the vast majority of what’s going on around you never reaches awareness. The Reticular Activating System chooses what cuts.

How the Reticular Activating System Works

The Reticular Activating System is a network of neurons in the brainstem. Think of it as your brain’s gatekeeper or filter.

Here’s what it does:

• Filters sensory input to decide what’s important enough to notice.

• Alerts you to danger, ensuring survival signals break through immediately.

• Supports focus and goals when something matters to you, your RAS highlights related information.

Everyday Examples of the Reticular Activating System at Work

• When you hear your name in a noisy room, your RAS lets it through even if you weren’t listening.

• When you buy a new car, you suddenly see the same model everywhere; your RAS has been “programmed” to spot it.

• Focusing on a goal – if you’ve set your mind on finding new clients, opportunities seem to “appear” because your RAS is tuned to notice them.

Why the RAS Matters for You

Understanding the RAS isn’t just neuroscience trivia — it’s practical. You can train your RAS by:

• Setting clear goals, writing them down, and visualising them. Your RAS will start filtering for opportunities.

• Using positive affirmations, repeating what you want to focus on, helps prime the filter.

• Controlling your environment – reduce distractions so the RAS doesn’t get overloaded.

Final Thoughts

The Reticular Activating System (RAS) serves as your brain's natural filter. Out of the millions of bits of information that enter your mind every second, only a small number are allowed through. By understanding how the RAS functions, you can train it to concentrate on what truly matters—whether that's growing your business, enhancing your well-being, or achieving your personal goals.