I love everything we learn in this class, but this principle is something I have already shared with so many people because I am fascinated with this part of our neurons. In Ch 1(p. 18) we learn about the cells of the nervous system and are introduced to dendrites, then in Ch 4(p. 125) we learn more about dendritic branching and how our brain does this fascinating task. Our experiences are what guide the neuronal change in our brains and essentially shape the branching of our dendrites. Before studying psychology I always heard people say “you are what you think” or “you are your thoughts, be positive” but seeing the actual neural process really puts it into perspective, quite literally. The branches of our dendrites are all of our positive and negative thoughts so I created a painting of a neuron and placed positive thoughts on the dendritic branching to show that it is possible to overcome our negative self talk and replace those words with encouragement and uplifting phrases. 

My art project is a collage based on the brain lateralization, the specialization of the functions of the two hemispheres, and an extra factor about charismatic people.

The left side represents the left hemisphere and its specialization with the reminder that the positive emotions are processed there. The right side represents the right hemisphere with its specialization and the remark that the negative emotions are processed there. Both hemispheres are specialized but they also work together and complement each other. Charismatic people keep people engaged, they move a lot, they engaged your imagination and they also change facial patterning, they stimulate both hemispheres! Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement. Tony Robbins is an American author, coach, speaker, and philanthropist, his life coaching has changed my life. Jim Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and artist; he is known for his energetic performances, but he is also a great dramatic actor. Demosthenes was a Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens who suffered from a speech impediment, he designed a series of exercises for himself to improve his speech. These people are not only great speakers, but they are also inspiring. 

-           Yoga is transformation and transcendental; it not only changes how one sees things, but it also changes the one whom he is seeing.  B.K.S Iyengar 

 

 

1.       First floor (lower part of the brain). The limbic system is responsible for our emotions >. Inside there is the amygdala (explain them). The amygdala controls and processes, and storage our emotional responses. Afraid and mad rage.

 

2.       Second floor: The cerebral cortex is divided into four lobes.

·         The frontal lobe, verify reality, and it filters and organized the external world. Connection and the synapses 

o   All of our plans, ideas, and thoughts originate in this cortex made of neural cells. New experiences increase branching of axons, while secreting neurotrophins, they also create and store new memories. 

v  The neurons create and conserve new ramifications (line of communications) to connect and communicate messages via chemical and electrical signals impulses.

-          .  

·         Neurons, districts, and connecting during an action potential creating a beautiful complex neuronal forest 

v  The Synapses, separating the ramifications; in this process, the neurons seem to be touching each other. However, during an exchange of messages, a connection among neurons is sending and receiving messages coming and going back and forth from our nervous system, but in that small gap happens the magic. 

·         Neurons transmitters are carrying chemical molecules. When properly stimulated, it crosses the cellular membrane and arrives in the synaptic space through an electric impulse.

·         The receptor neurons have a unique welcoming space for the upcoming molecules which opens particular doors.

·          Through these doors, waves carried particles and ions of sodium and potassium flow, creating a new electric signal followed by a chemical exchange and another electric impulse and other never-ending exchange of chemicals.  This is the base of all cerebral activity and neuron communication. 

·         In this complex process of the brain, there is the clue of all this brain complexity. 

v  One hundred thousand million neurons connect and communicate messages. Like an ant contributing to the anthill and its colony, each of those neurons processes their information and reconnect or connects and tangles with other 50 thousand neurons to sent and receive messages.

v  One hundred thousand neurons per 50 thousand million connections to repeat the same communications process all over again. Seed, plant seed. 

·         This what allows us to use our imagination and think critically. The billions of neuronal nets are like a never-ending orchestra that is improvising and creating new ideas that connect and different associate thoughts, sometimes are inspiring, and other times are stubborn stubbornness.

 

 

3.       Third floor: The brain is made to mutate, change, and associate all the new behaviors in which we respond to all of those unique experiences. 

During research was discovered that in the brain, neuroplasticity is stimulated when meditating or doing yoga. 

 

o   Neuroplasticity is affected and changed by neurons and their communication process.

a.       It was found that a mass increase in the

v  hippocampus (meaningful: learning, memory, and regulation of emotions) 

v  Temporoparietal lobe (associated with compassion, perfective, and empathy)

b.       Decreased mass of the Amygdala

o   Less stress means a decrease in the amygdala.

o   When there is an increase in the frontal lobe, this is the best moment of the brain. This could occur when one focuses on pure love and compassion in the universal now and nowhere or anything in particular.

v  Frontal lobe's mass increments when thoughts, words, and actions are alienated and associated with happiness. 

v  Higher and supernatural positivism levels could be reached through meditation when focusing on pure love, compassion, and positive emotions towards nobody, nowhere, or no one.

v  An increase in the Left-brain hemisphere is associated with positive emotion. Meanwhile, in the right brain hemisphere of the prefrontal cortex associated with depression decreased. It could mean that compassion and love is the most excellent medicine for depression

v  A decreased activity in the Amygdala associated with fear and hate was found in individuals who meditate and practice yoga, meaning that those who practice yoga, meditation, and mind their own business could reach and maintain high levels of positive emotions (happiness) in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. – D.R RICHARD DAVISON.

4.       Search for and on Dr. Davison academically and scientifically demonstrated the effects of meditation and yoga, which reduce the suitable brain hemisphere activity and increase the left-brain hemisphere, which increases positive sensations such as love and compassion. 

 

o   After three months of meditation, many changes were located in meditation and yoga experts; when practicing yoga, they could change neuron activities from right to left hemispheres.

v  A decrease in the right hemisphere activity and increased left activity levels in the brain hemispheres were reported leading to an explanation about the heart being the key to compassion

 

I’m going to remember the principle of diet and our neurotransmitters because of the phrase “you are what you eat.” I can now understand that phrase better because I have more knowledge about how different foods play a big role in out brain’s function. 

and the mechanism is epigenetics.” (pg. 107, ch. 4) This quote had a major impact on me and how i will take into account how people are raised. In conclusion, a person could have all the best genes and still grow up to be a less than decent human being due to the environment they are in. 

The brain is made up of many parts with interconnected circuits that all work together as a team. Different brain circuits are responsible for coordinating and performing specific functions. Networks of neurons send signals back and forth to each other and among different parts of the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves in the rest of the body. 

The feeling of pleasure is how a healthy brain identifies and reinforces beneficial behaviors, such as eating, socializing, and sex. Our brains are wired to increase the odds that we will repeat pleasurable activities.

A big take away for me was the fact that exercise releases neurotrophins that promote the survival and activity of neurons, which encourage dendric branching, just like education does. (Chapter 4 Lecture). I always knew that exercise is important, but never realized that it can essentially alter the brain structure and make a person more intelligent. This knowledge is important to me because I am raising a child, and I will make sure that being active will be instilled in her life habits.

Our environment, the way we choose to live our lives, affects our brain. Our diet, activity level, continuous education, music, playing an instrument, making art, meditation, reading books, can all alter our neurons and brain activity, giving us a chance of a longer and healthier life.