It is an age-old debate – are the mind and body separate? Scientists and philosophers alike have dabbled in the theory and each come up with their own views. However, as modern technology and research continue, the theory that our personality originates purely in our brains is slowly being fought against.
The mind and body divide is not as simple as some have argued. Our surroundings have more of an effect on our brains, behaviour and emotions than most people know. One thing is for certain though, as more scientific experiments continue, the divide between body and mind will continue to be broken down as we learn more.
In this book summary readers will discover:
- The human brain is fascinating and mysterious
- The interaction between our brains and bodies produces our minds
- Why believing the brain is the main source of behaviour and mental illness is problematic
Key lesson one: The human brain is fascinating and mysterious
Ever heard of the cerebral mystique? It refers to the view that the brain is more than just an organ in the body but rather the origins of the soul and mind. Sounds poetic, doesn’t it? The original obsession with the brain and its nature came from Franz Gall a German scientist. He launched the area of phrenology which claimed that intelligence and character could be seen in the shape and size of a brain. Of course, this was entirely untrue but it brought brains into the forefront of research. Famous figures in history took phrenological exams and brains in jars became popular. Nowadays, research has delved deeper into the brain demystifying most of its interactions. However, the cerebral mystique remains. Even pop culture has jumped on the bandwagon, ensuring that the brain remains fascinating and mysterious to everyone.
The brain has been compared to everything from a chariot to a computer over the centuries. The computer analogy seems to be quite fitting as brains also store and process information along with using electrical signals. However, the comparison only goes so far. The brain, after all, is a lot more organic. Thoughts of dualism or that the brain is completely separate from the rest of the body and acting of its own accord is not realistic. Firstly, the brain is an organ, just like the heart or kidney. It is made up of cells, fluids, ions, nutrients and neurotransmitters. All the components of the brain are needed for it to function optimally. There is nothing that is simply there for structural integrity. The brain contains 60 billion neurons and each of these has approximately ten thousand synapses. The interactions of these neurons and synapses further increase in number when all the possible configurations are considered. However, despite this complexity, it has still been possible for scientists to figure out how it all works.
Ironically, even though the human brain has so many neurons, it can still function with fewer. A prime example of this is a woman in China who lacked a cerebellum and thus 80 per cent of the brain’s neurons. However, she only displayed minor impairments despite this deficit. So, while the brain has millions of cells, it has become evident that it is the types of cells that matter. Thus, instead of mapping out all these possible interactions and configurations, researchers try to focus on the smaller number of basic functions. This has proved to be quite informative and even led to the discovery of cortical columns. These columns are only a millimetre in diameter but are responsible for specific brain functions. Further research regarding cortical columns could possibly provide the key to understanding the brain’s biological functions.
Brain imaging techniques have also changed the way we look at the brain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI has been integral in modern neuroscience. The technique utilizes the magnetism of iron in the blood to provide images of which areas of the brain are active in response to stimuli. It has provided insight that we have never before seen but is not completely perfect. The images are largely dependent on the size of blood vessels in the brain. This means that the images obtained will only show areas that exhibit larges changed in brain activity – those regions that are activated, albeit slightly, remain unseen. In addition, the images can be used to spread false information by those who don’t completely understand how the brain works. Take for example an article released in 2011 that stated that fMRI proved that people were in love with their iPhones. What the accompanying images showed was a flow of blood to the insular cortex which they stated was the area of the brain associated with love. However, the insular cortex is associated with all emotions, not just love.
Thus, as research into the brain evolves, we continue to discover more about this organ and how in fact, it is much more involved in our bodies than what was previously thought.
Key lesson two: The interaction between our brains and bodies produces our minds
The pinnacle of separating mind and body comes from The Alcor Life Extension Foundation. If you want to live forever, they will freeze your brain in liquid nitrogen until science and technology make it possible for it to be placed in a new body. Just like that, you can live again! However, will this still be you? You see, your brain is just a part of what makes you who you are. Your body also plays an important role.
As much as the brain controls our bodily functions, our body is also capable of controlling the brain. It does this through hormones, blood sugar levels and various other physical systems. This is clearly seen in a flight or fight response. The brain and the adrenal gland both release hormones that stimulate each other and you experience the accompanying panic that comes with a dangerous situation. Even the bacteria in your gut contributes greatly to the way your brain functions. An experiment carried out at McMaster University demonstrated this when they examined two groups of mice. One group was shy and timid and the other was bold and adventurous. When the microbiome from the latter group was transplanted into the shy and timid mice, it was found that they exhibited behavioural changes being more outgoing and brave. Thus, the gut plays an equally important role in affecting how we behave.
Then, there is the effect of the environment we are in. It has a greater impact than we acknowledge. However, all you have to do is consider how a noisy environment makes you feel when you are trying to concentrate. The outside world gets into our brains through our sensory organs. These inputs have a direct impact on the brain’s activity. At any given point in a day, 40 per cent of your cortex is dedicated to dealing with the information coming from your sensory systems. This means that your brain’s activity is being influenced by things beyond your control. A classic example of this is seasonal affective disorder or SAD. This occurs during the colder winter months when people feel sad and depressed. It is based on the fact that the optic nerves sense photons or particles of light. If they do not pick up enough photons, it tells the brain to produce melatonin which makes one feel drowsy and sleepy. Thus in colder months when the sun sets earlier, SAD sufferers experience a dose of melatonin leaving them feeling down.
Our environments can also draw the attention of the brain. It is why we automatically turn towards a loud sound. Our brain is drawn to the stimuli. Therefore, it is a bit silly to think that our brain is the only organ in control.
Key lesson three: Why believing the brain is the main source of behaviour and mental illness is problematic
Now for a bit of psychology. The terms neuroessentialism and behaviourism refer to the belief that the brain is responsible for a person’s actions and the belief that human actions are a result of outside forces respectively. These two ways of thinking can best be described in the case of Charles Whitman. Whitman woke up one morning and decided to go on a shooting spree. At the end of the day, 18 people were dead, Whitman included. What was interesting was that during his postmortem, a tumour was found in his hypothalamus and amygdala. This is the area of the brain that regulates emotions. Thus, those who believed in neuroessentialism were certain that the tumour was the cause of his violent outburst. However, those who favoured behaviourism argued that Whitman had an unhappy childhood and a difficult marriage. This coupled with receiving a court-martial from the marines and how easy it was to buy guns in Texas were an explosive combination that made him act out.
The debate continues between the two but neuroessentialism tends to take the upper hand. However, putting this much emphasis on the brain is not good. We might miss the bigger picture. Mental illness, for example, should not be thought of as a brain disease or that people who have mental illness have a faulty brain. It could arise from a number of issues including genetics, other diseases and social and environmental factors. The same can be said about teenagers and how they behave. Is it all a result of their brains or are they influenced by external factors? If we continue to believe that only the brain is contributing, we risk missing other important factors.
The key takeaway from The Biological Mind is:
The brain cannot exist without the body and the body cannot function without the brain. The two are so closely intertwined that it seems foolish to try to think of them separately. It is the combination of the two that makes us who we are. The brain is a biological organ just like any other organ in the body. We have to let go of the cerebral mystique and take a closer look at how everything works together to bring about our actions and behaviours. It is only through this understanding that we can truly begin to understand the biological mind.
How can I implement the lessons learned in The Biological Mind:
Don’t be so quick to judge those with mental illness. It is easy for everyone to believe that something is wrong with their brains and that causes their illness. However, there could be other factors at work. Be conscious of the fact that their surroundings and social interactions can also contribute to their mental illness.
