As we delve deeper into understanding the dynamics of the human brain, our perception is challenged continuously.
It's safe to say that the field of neuroscience is a realm of surprise!
In our blog, we explore five incredible findings in neuroscience that have captivated our attention, let alone the geeky scientists.
Your brain is play dough, just an advanced kind
Most of us thought that our brain's structure and function were relatively fixed after a certain age and this led us to believe that maturity comes with age. BUT! Neuroscience tells us that it is the experiences and observations that mould our brains.
So, maybe your younger brother is giving you the right advice, after all!
As you read this, your brain is forming new neural circuits that may spark a thought later in your life.
This incredible finding has ignited hope for therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, parkinsonism, and long-term depression.
Your gut feeling may be right.
Our comprehension of neurological processes has become intricate with the discovery of the gut-brain link. Often referred to as the "second brain," the enteric nervous system is a complex network of neurons buried in the gastrointestinal tract's walls.
The gut and the brain communicate in both directions, impacting mood, behavior, and cognitive abilities, according to recent studies.
With new research examining the function of gut microbiota in diseases like anxiety, depression, and even neurodevelopmental problems, this relationship has reformed possibilities to improve mental health.
“Your gut is not Las Vegas. What happens in the gut does not stay in the gut.”
― Peter Kozlowski, MD
Bacteria for the brain
Expanding upon the correlation between the gut and brain, researchers are working on decoding the fascinating interplay between the brain, gut, and microbiota — a trio referred to as the Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis.
This finding implies that gut bacteria can affect behavior and brain function by different mechanisms, including immune system modulation and neurotransmitter synthesis.
Smart manipulation of this axis creates new opportunities for therapeutic approaches aimed at mental health issues that target both, the gut microbiota and the brain.
Sincerely, your friendly neighborhood bacteria.
No seriously though, we're not joking.
The Enigma of Unconsciousness
You know how a patient feels no sensation of pain while undergoing a major operation? That is nothing short of a miracle.
Researchers are currently analyzing how anesthesia causes abnormal brain activity, which results in unconsciousness.
The answers to the riddles surrounding anesthesia-induced unconsciousness may provide important new understandings of the brain processes that underlie awareness, which may have ramifications for both medical research and basic mental theories.
Anesthesia is quite remarkable. It's lost time. And you wake up kind of refreshed.
- Michael Keaton
Merging Man and Machine
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are new advancements in technology that have made direct brain-to-device connections possible.
Though still being researched, this discovery has worked wonders for people with neurodegenerative diseases or paralysis who can now use their thoughts to operate computers or prosthetic limbs. Does Stephen Hawking come to your mind? Exactly.
The unmatched potential of artificial intelligence has made BCIs possible but it raises serious questions about the limits between artificial intelligence and humans.
“Artificial intelligence will reach human levels by around 2029. Follow that out further to, say, 2045, and we will have multiplied the intelligence – the human biological machine intelligence of our civilization – a billion-fold.” - Ray Kurzweil
Now that you’ve come to the end of this post, how many new connections do you think your brain has made? Well, for now, we can only guess. want to know more brain hacks? Contact us to get better!
If you're feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts or emotions and need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Koott, our experienced Malayali psychologists offer online counseling to guide you through life's challenges. Take control of your mental well-being today—you're not alone in this journey.
Comments