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THE WORKING OF THE HUMAN BRAIN Presenter: Dr Adelbert Scholtz Counselling psychologist Retired pastor Part-time lecturer QUESTIONS: Is there anybody reading this who doesn’t own a brain? Can those people who say that they have brains prove that they really do have brains? BRAIN SCAN The best way to prove that you have a brain is to have a brain scan done THE WONDER OF THE BRAIN The most complex system in the whole universe There are more brain cells in your head than stars in the Milky Way THE NERVE SYSTEM • Central nerve system: the brain and spinal cord • Peripheral nerve system: 31 pairs of nerve branches from the spinal chord and 12 pairs of nerve branches in the head • The autonomous or parasympathetic nerve system: the involuntary and unconscious part of the nerve system PROTECTION OF THE NERVE SYSTEM The nerve system is very vulnerable and therefore it is protected by the skull and the spine THE BRAIN CELL Parts of the brain cell: Cell body with nucleus Dendrites Axon NEURONS Brain cells and nerve cells are called neurons They work on the same principle as transistors They communicate chemically BRIDGING THE SYNAPSE Neurons communicate through neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) The tiny gap between the axon and the dendrite is called a synapse ORGANS AND MUSCLES Neurotransmitters also bind with receptors on organs and muscles This makes them function or contract BRAIN CHEMICALS Your brain is a very intricate chemical factory Many psychological and medical disorders are the result of a malfunctioning of neurotransmitters NEUROTRANSMITTERS The most important: Acetylcholine Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenalin) Dopamine GABA Glutamate Serotonin Endorphin ACETYLCHOLINE Responsible for the contraction of certain muscles, amongst others the muscles of the digestive system Present in the autonomous nerve system and in the neurons in sense organs Plays an important role in memory and helps to cause dreams during REM sleep NOREPINEPHRINE Also known as noradrenaline Task: to get the nerve system into a state of readiness. Mainly present in the symphatetic nerve system and causes blood pressure to rise and heart beat to accelerate Secreted by the adrenaline glands into the blood stream, together with the related adrenaline, which enables superhuman feats in an emergency Plays a role in the forming of memories and in concentration power Stress causes the adrenaline levels to get depleted while exercise aids the production NOREPINEPHRINE Amphetamines (including "tik") work by stimulating the secretion of norepinephrine and causing a feeling of euphoria Increased production of norepinephrine overwhelms the receptors on neurons; it leads to a decreased production of norepinephrine and that causes the abuser to increase his doses in order to experience the same effect Extremely unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when discontinued DOPAMINE Related to norepinephrine Blocks the receptors on the axons of neurons and inhibits them from firing Also connected with the reward mechanisms in the brain and is responsible for pleasant feelings DOPAMINE Drugs such as nicotine, cocaine, opium, heroin and alcohol initially increase the levels of dopamine artificially Addiction occurs when the production of dopamine decreases and more of these drugs are needed Withdrawal symptoms when discontinued GABA Gamma aminobytiric acid (GABA), an amino acid that also serves as a neurotransmitter Has an inhibiting action by breaking the influence of excitory neurotransmitters that may lead to anxiety attacks GABA GABA deficiency often leads to anxiety disorders If GABA is absent in certain brain centres epilepsy may result GLUTAMATE An excitory neurotransmitter, related to GABA The most plentiful neurotransmitter in the central nerve system (+50%) Plays an important role in memory SEROTONIN Plays an important role regarding emotions, moods and perception Also involved in sleep, blood pressure, body temperature and the secretion of hormones Occurs throughout the body – especially in digestive system; only about 2% of the total amount in the body is present in the brain Produced from the amino acid Ltryptophane SEROTONIN A deficiency often leads to depression, little control over anger outbursts, obsessive-compulsive disorders, eating disorders and even suicide A deficiency may also cause a craving of carbohydrates and sleeping disorders Hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD, bind with receptors for serotonin; because LSD inhibits the production of serotonin, dependency rapidly follows ENDORPHIN Name is a contraction of "endogenous morphine" Chemically related to pain killers such as morphine, opium, heroin etc The body's own natural pain killer Also a neurotransmitter connected with feelings of pleasure and it slows down the heart beat, breathing and digestion ENDORPHIN Drugs such as opium, morphine or heroin bind with the receptors for endorphin and that stops the production of endorphin That leads to a dependency on these drugs Withdrawal symptoms when discontinued POISONING Many toxic substances influence the autonomous or central nerve systems and cause paralysis, smothering or pain Some of these substances interfere with the effect of neurotransmitters – with the result that messages to and from the brain get blocked CAUSES OF DEPRESSION Inherited tendency Overdose of stress due to unpleasant or unmanageable situations Serious losses DEPRESSION AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS Connection between depression and deficiency of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and estrogen Deficiency may cause depression Depression may cause deficiency CONCLUSION Depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety disorders and PTSD are real illnesses They are connected with certain malfunctioning neurotransmitters The WHO regards these disorders as medical conditions, which need treatment (psychotherapy, medication and nutritional supplements) ANTIDEPRESSANTS Medication for depression – O Stimulate the production of serotonin, dopamine or noradrenalin; or O Increase the sensitivity of receptors on receiving neuron's dendrites; or O Inhibit the neutralisation of neurotransmitters by certain enzymes. ANTIDEPRESSANTS Not always effective Take a long time before they work (if they do) Unpleasant side-effects (nausea, head-aches, dizziness, high blood pressure, decrease in libido, digestive problems or sleeping problems, &tc) Don’t solve any problems A HEALTHY DIET Production of neurotransmitters may be enhanced by a healthy diet containing – Fresh fruit and vegetables Fish Lots of fibre Soya products Enough water NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS Omega-3 fatty acids / Cod liver oil Vitamin B complex & Vitamin C Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc 5-HTP (to produce Serotonin) GABA (for anxiety) EXERCISE Exercise – Releases endorphins and norepinephrine Strengthens the heart Removes toxins from body Keeps you healthy (mentally and physically) A HEALTHY LIFE-STYLE Get enough sleep Avoid stress Get social support Nurture your relationships STUFF TO AVOID If you are depressed or anxious, avoid – Alcohol or other drugs Sleeping pills Food fried in fat or oil Sugar Caffeine They mess with your neurotransmitters SPIRITUAL LIFE Nurture your relationship with God Spend some time in prayer, meditation and Bible study Become a compassionate Samaritan