Brain talks to itself via molecules, neurons, nerve networks faster than a F1 car. It can fall in love, do complex arithmetic and contemplate meaning of life. Positive emotions can help people flourish.
Neuroplasticity: Human brain has tremendous capacity to reorganize and engineer itself both physically and functionally through out life. New neurons can be formed even in adult life. It can reverse damage or dysfunction.
ALL IN THE MIND
Brain Mapping (Parts and Particles)
Anatomy
1. Left Prefrontal Cortex: It monitors a persons emotional state. It shuts off negative emotions when the person is happy.
2. Thalamus: Takes part in how happiness is executed in the brain.
3. Hypothalamus: Pituitary gland produces endorphins during physical exertion, sexual intercourse and orgasm.
5. Hedonic Hotspots(Nucleus Accumbens, Ventral Pallidum and Brainstem): Generating enhancements of "liking reactions" to sensory pleasure such as sweetness.
6: Basal Ganglia: Reward and reinforcement. Lights up in response to positive emotional stimuli. Typically plans and coordinate movements.
7. Hippocampus: Memory Storage. Increases the likelihood that the action will be repeated in future.
8: Precuneus: Plays a role in self reflection and certain aspects of consciousness
9. Amygdala: Emotional hub that gets activated during sadness.
1. Acetyl Choline: Alertness, sexual performance, memory and appetite control.
2. Norepinephrine: Makes you feel happy, alert, motivated, appetite control, energy and sexual arousal.
4. Enkephalins: Restrict transmission of pain, reducing craving and reducing depression.
5. Oxytocin: Feeling of emotional attachment, sexual arousal and desire to cuddle.
6. Endorphins: Natural pain killers, Mood elevating and euphoric.
7. Serotonin: Aids in sleep, self esteem, reducing cravings and prevents depression and worrying.
8. Melatonin: Rest and recuperating, anti ageing. Regulates Body Clock
9. Phenylethylamine (PEA): Feeling of bliss and infatuation.
10. GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid): Anti stress, anti anxiety, anti panic, anti pain. Feel calm, maintain and control focus.
Experiment
Location: Sera Jey Monastic University, Bylakuppe Coorg (Outpost of Tibetan Buddhism)
1. Monks chant study and meditate.
2. Monks are strapped to electrode sensors.
3. Scientist measure readings on a EEG machine.
4. Later brain scans of Buddhist monks are taken.
Results
1. EEG: Upward spirals of positive emotions in brain.
2. EEG: Heightened electrical rhythms are seen in the brain.
1. Brain waves change from Beta (thinking state) to alpha (relaxed state) to theta (inspiration, creativity, insight).
2. Delta to Gamma states are also seen.
Active dreaming regeneration to feeling of bliss (Delta to Gamma).
3. High level of gamma waves are usually seen. Gamma waves are linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory.
3. MRI
1.With meditation intense activity of left prefrontal cortex is seen. Left prefrontal cortex is associated with pleasant emotions indicating a large capacity for happiness.
2. Meditation thickens gray matter responsible for highest intellect and self awareness.
3. Meditation enhances brain regions associated with emotional awareness, attention and concentration.
4. Meditation alters neural networking.
5. Meditation increases folding of brain tissue which allows the brain to process information more efficiently and cope with life's stressor.
6. Enhances parts of brain activity (Cerebral Cortex).
7. It is believed to offset neurodegenerative disorders and lowers the rate of thinning of cortex.
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