Mind Body Connection The human brain is one of the most complex organs within the human body -- indeed, one of the most multifaceted mysteries in the universe. Within this organ we have the basis for cognition, brain chemicals only now being unraveled and the Mind-Body connection that acts as a template for every aspect of the individual. Indeed, even in the 21st century, science is just now beginning to understand the numerous ways that the brain functions biologically. Recent studies show that human emotions both control and are influenced by a number of incredibly complex neurochemicals that either enhance or detract in human abilities to learn, retain, and even use information. To understand the basics of that complex relationship, it is useful to build a template, or representational model about the way the limbic system, also known as the emotional brain, works. This limbic system, in fact, has the power and influence to act as a "central switch" for learning, memory, and the unique ability for humans to make innovative connections between the real and imagined world. First, picture the brain as a highway hub. On one side, the left hemisphere of the brain helps organize our thoughts logically, sequence time, and utilize language. One the right hemisphere, the brain manages spatial organization, certain kinds of intuition and prescient thought, some mathematical computations, and the ability to share and create complex thoughts by taking previous information and building upon it. Looking from back to front, we would see that the rear portion of the brain is the main library -- it houses knowledge, experience,...
. The library, however, the place that actually makes individual determinations on how to use information, is located near the frontal lobes. The third view of our brain moves from the neck to the top of the scalp (bottom to top). At the bottom is the brain stem (the spinal column, base of the brain). Then we have the limbic system, whose job is to act as a general interpreter of all the data coming in -- and deciding what to do with that data (e.g. danger, help, harm, information, etc. Limbic "conductors" chemically broadcast the unique interpretation of all this stimuli throughout the body. Then, depending on its decision, opens or closes access to higher brain function. If the limbic system interprets "Harm," for instance, access to higher function shuts down and we are unable to move beyond our more primitive brain functions -- a way to protect the higher cognitive areas. If the limbic system interprets a positive or optimistic set of stimuli, then access to imagination, knowledge, and higher functions of creativity are allowed. Research finds that the overall theme of emotion may be interpreted as a kind of elevator operator -- controlling which floor the system stops, but especially diligent and selective about allowing access to the highest floors of the brain (Vail, 2010).
Everything came together including previous experience, memories, brain signals, and emotion to produce that churning in the stomach that told them, in an instant, to go. Those who hesitated and waited for more input signals, unfortunately, perished. If you follow that leap of faith into intuition and gut feeling, then you realize that their brains had "learned" that it didn't need layers of data to reach a decision. It
When that process is reduced, many physical ailments have the opportunity to develop in organs that are not functioning optimally because of the reduction in the rate and efficiency of cellular repair. Similarly, the bones themselves can become more fragile and easily fractured because natural bone loss continues while cellular repair and new bone-cell formation slows (Sarno, 1998). Body fat storage typically increases during prolonged periods of exposure to stress
Human Brain One of the most complex organs in the universe, the human brain, continues to be a scientific mystery. In vertebrate and most invertebrate animals, the brain is the central aspect of the nervous system. The brain can be simple, as in some insects, or extremely complex, as in the human brain which can encompass anywhere from 15-33 billion neurons linked with 10,000 or more synaptic connections. The brain is
The frontal lobes rely on processing of internal information, including memories, in order to guide behavior, while the parietal lobes specialize in processing of externally-based sensory information, in order to guide behavior. Both sources of information are needed to self-regulate one's own behaviors but internal mnemonic sources are crucial to resist enslavement to external and salient events (p. 72)." While McNamara has explained the technical functions taking place in the
Brain Dysfunction and Criminal Behavior Criminal behavior can be caused by many things, social inequality, class differences, drug or alcohol addiction, peer pressure to name a few. These are all external conditions which can lead to criminal behavior. However, scientists are now starting to discover the link between dysfunction of the actions of the brain and a person's propensity to engage in criminal conduct. Individuals with brain dysfunction either caused by
Mind and the Brain There are several theories that have been proposed for explaining the relationship between one's mind and brain. If truth be told, it can be said that it is one of the most talked about philosophical fields. Mind vs. Brain Mind and brain are interrelated. For a majority of people, there is no difference between the two. Many scientists and philosophers hold the belief that the brain and the mind
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