HOW DOES LEARNING ABOUT BRAIN FUNCTION HELP US TO BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS?

Brain & Emotions

BRAIN

What an amazing organ

How does the brain work?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UukcdU258A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK9iOMNiYjg

A study published this week in the Journal of Neuroscience found that staying awake too long destroys brain cells in mice, and may do the same in humans.It’s the first study to show (if only in animals) that sleep loss can lead to irreversible brain cell damage.Researchers from the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania found that prolonging wakefulness damages a particular type of brain cell called locus ceruleus (LC) neurons, which play an important role in keeping us alert and awake.“We now have evidence that sleep loss can lead to irreversible injury,” In January, sleep researchers at the University of Surrey linked sleep loss with disruptions in gene function that could affect metabolism, inflammation, and longterm disease risk to body and brain.And in October a groundbreaking study showed how sleep may “detox” the brain, flushing out waste products linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Limbic System (first response) Often referred to as the

reptilian brain or the emotional brain

Works with body to show emotions

This system never matures

We can retain the ability to react emotionally as we did at age two

Neocortex

Cerebral CortexOuter gray layer of brain, 80% of brainControls motor movementCommunication: language, process visual

information, speechProblem solving & processing ideas

Reptilian Brain

Develops between conception and first 15 months after birth (babies need fat for cell growth)

Job: self preservationMonitors outer world through sensory inputThen…activates body for survival100 trillion nerve nets that link all senseshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=VYkPRv9nBw8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CoZUkAordI

Reptilian brain, cont.

Includes: brain stem, medulla oblongata, pons & cerebellum

Sensations are sent: Through the brain stem… To the switch board or pons… To the thalamus in the limbic brain… To the neocortex for interpretation

Links to neo-cortex allowing for emotional or cognitive (thinking) processing

Works with the body to show physical signs of emotions, like flush of embarrassment or smile of joy

Determines the release of neuro-transmitters that strengthen or weaken immune system

Teens are known to fall in love easily, get frustrated Teens are known to fall in love easily, get frustrated and angry, and prone to risky behavior & often and angry, and prone to risky behavior & often experience rapid and unexplained mood changesexperience rapid and unexplained mood changes

This part of the brain registers feelings and helps the This part of the brain registers feelings and helps the storage of memoriesstorage of memories

Limbic Brain-

Limbic brain, cont.

4 major structures of limbic brain Thalamus:

relay station for incoming sensory information, except smell Relays info from brain to muscles Interprets pain, temp, pressure Connections between emotions & memory

Hypothalamus Pituitary gland Manages: hunger, thirst, temp, sleeping state Mind-over-body phenomena Aggression & pleasure The The HypothalamusHypothalamus is the control center for the body’s is the control center for the body’s

hormone system. It regulates the body’s chemistry.hormone system. It regulates the body’s chemistry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0fee5LpF04

The The Amygdala (the alarm system for Amygdala (the alarm system for threats, fear & danger, is also bigger in threats, fear & danger, is also bigger in male brains.) male brains.) It is responsible for feelings of It is responsible for feelings of anger and fear. Also deals with sexual anger and fear. Also deals with sexual orientation & anxiety.orientation & anxiety.

It has many receptors for It has many receptors for TestosteroneTestosterone, so , so young young males are more likely to get angry males are more likely to get angry and be aggressive.and be aggressive.

Amygdala

Limbic brain, cont.

Amygdala Links to brain areas involved with cognitive and sensory processing Regulates your body state to emotional state Recognizes facial expression & body language Body reactions to fear or anxiety

Hippocampus Short term memory Transfers info into long term memory The The hippocampushippocampus helps the brain make and store helps the brain make and store memories. memories.

Hippocampus acts on testosterone for males. In females it controls Hippocampus acts on testosterone for males. In females it controls menstrual cycle.menstrual cycle.

It is It is responsive to responsive to estrogenestrogen and and progesteroneprogesterone which may help girls do which may help girls do better in schoolbetter in school

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEk8BofSIY0&feature=relatedHippocampus

What does this all mean?

What are some connections you can make about this information and what you already know about emotions?

From observation to response

During our day, we experience events that cause emotional responses. What steps does our body/brain take to process and act towards a response?

Observation to response

What influences could effect our response?

Consider: Observation skills and abilitiesHistory: past events, info, prejudgeState of brain: nutrition, sleep, waterMental state: stress, sicknessBrain’s ability to communication (synapse

development)Age, developmental stateBrain’s communication style & experiencesFight or flight, phobias, abuseMental health

There’s a spider in my bed!!!

Identify: How does the information get into your brain? What does your limbic system do? To react to the spider, what will the following parts do:

Thalamus (sees the spider)

Hypothalamus (connects an emotion to seeing it)

Amygdala (body reacts to fear)

hippocampus (takes from short term memory to long term

memory)

Connection

What is the connection between emotions and getting your needs met?

Feelings & Needs

All humans have needsAreas of needs

Self-expression: create, play Autonomy: goals, dreams, choices Interdepence: acceptance, respect Spiritual: joy meaning Physical: basic needs, protection, sexual Where have you seen this before?

There’s this thing called “brain plasticity.” That’s the term scientists use for our brain’s amazing ability to grow, change, and adapt over time. Until recently, scientists thought the brain stopped growing new cells by the time we turned 30. But now, we know that it’s constantly forming new cells as long as we’re alive! And, it turns out, one of the best ways to increase brain plasticity is to learn a new skill, like playing guitar.

Plasticity is the reason I can play a song one day, and be terrible at it. Then, I come back a few days later to find the part I once thought was impossible, is now a little easier to play. It’s because plasticity is clearing out old brain cells, and reinforcing the connections that help me play better.

Am I good enough to jump onstage? Hardly. In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell says we need to devote at least 10,000 hours to something before we can achieve true mastery. And so far, I’m only about 400 hours into mastering guitar. But if I get nothing else out of all this, I’m comforted by the fact that brain stimulation, in any form, is proven to help us prevent neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's! That’s a good enough reason for me to keep practicing plasticity

Dr. Christopher Lynn is an anthropology professor at the University of Alabama. And he says that playing with your smartphone or another electronic gadget has become what he calls the latest “pivot.” That’s a mindless activity that quickly transfers you from being bored to satisfied. He says other “pivots” include smoking a cigarette or doodling. But researchers warn that electronic pivots, like Tweeting and Instagramming, spell trouble for your brain. Because stubbing out every instance of boredom with your smartphone becomes a crutch. We begin to rely on the constant mental stimulation – and when we don’t have it, we become anxious. We start thinking, “Oh no, I should be doing something!”But there’s a benefit to boredom. Consider the latest research:University of Michigan researchers found that constantly looking at texts, emails, and YouTube videos leaves your brain stressed and exhausted.Another reason why you should give your brain a break to be bored? An NYU study found that if you don’t take a time out from electronic stimulation – you’re hurting your brain’s ability to process memories and experiences. And finally, scientists say that being bored sparks creativity! In fact, one study found that daydreaming is a top way to turn on the creative side of your brain.So, next time you’re bored or have a little downtime, don’t turn to your phone for a quick pick-me-up! Instead, researchers say do your brain a favor and zone out.