Brain and Nervous System

        Brain and behavior

I found the topic of the brain and nervous system very fascinating. The video that inspired me the most was the one of the neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis. He presented the dream of a quadriplegic patient being able to feel again. It amazed me how he along with others were able to build a brain-controlled exoskeleton. The patient chosen for this experiment was named Juliano who used to be an athelete in Brazil before his accident and quadriplegic state. Miguel built the brain-controlled exoskeleton that made Juliano’s dream of kicking the first ball of the 2014 World Cup come true. Juliano was able to feel again when wearing a sensation vest that allowed him to feel the movement he created with his thoughts.   Retrieved from http://geekologie.com/2014/06/paraplegic-man-kicks-world-cup-opening-k.php

I was emotionally affected by this story and dream because I tried to imagine the joy that Juliano felt when he was able to feel the ball and move his body again by using the power of his thoughts. Another one of Miguel’s dreams was to build a way for two minds to send messages brain to brain. He did an experiment using rats and monkeys. It will be amazing to see what this experiment leads to in the future.

     The lecture and reading on the brain and nervous system made me feel in awe because of the complexity of this great organ and God’s hand in creating every detail of our bodies just perfectly. The nervous system is sending, receiving, and processing signals constantly. There is so much involved in this process including billions of neurons that are used to communicate electrical signals. These neurons are responsible for processing sensory information such as touching something hot. There is also an electrochemical process that the nervous system uses to communicate messages.

Retrieved from http://www.factrange.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Synapses-connections.jpg

Neurotransmitters which are chemicals are responsible for relaying signals across the synapse between neurons. Some of the neurotransmitters purposes is to regulate our appetite, memory, emotions and muscle movement.  

         

Love is more than a feeling

In the journal article titled “Biochemistry of Love” I learned about how the neuropeptide, oxytocin is involved in how we feel although this is not the only way that love is felt. It is just one component. There are other hormones and epigenetic factors that contribute to our emotional health.  I found it very interesting that oxytocin is released in our bodies after a very stressful experience. This is a way to protect us cope with overwhelming stress. They also help with parents engaging with infants in a loving way, having loving relationships, and for one to know to reach out for help in times of trouble. Vasopressin which is a neuropeptide is important in social bonding.

 Retrieved from http://www.longevitylive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/shutterstock_562380934.jpg

The readings and videos that I reflected on in this module made me realize the importance of understanding of all that is involved in the brain and nervous system communications and how that it relates to our behaviors, stress levels and relationships. An important point that I got from this article is that knowledge of how our nervous system works could increase our understanding of how our emotions can influence our health and disease.

References:

Biswas-Diener, R. (2015). The brain and nervous system. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds), Noba textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF publishers. DOI:nobaproject.com

Carter, S. & Porges, S. (2013). Biochemistry of love. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds), Noba textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF publishers. DOI:nobaproject.com.

Nicolelis, M. (n.d.). Brain-to-brain communication has arrived. How we did it. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/miguel_nicolelis_brain_to_brain_communication_has_arrived_how_we_did_it