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

BRAIN What an amazing organ How does the brain work?

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.Journal of Neuroscience 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.disruptions in gene function And in October a groundbreaking study showed how sleep may “detox” the brain, flushing out waste products linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia.“detox” the brain

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 Cortex Outer gray layer of brain, 80% of brain Controls motor movement Communication: language, process visual information, speech Problem solving & processing ideas

Reptilian Brain Develops between conception and first 15 months after birth (babies need fat for cell growth) Job: self preservation Monitors outer world through sensory input Then…activates body for survival 100 trillion nerve nets that link all senses

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 and angry, and prone to risky behavior & often experience rapid and unexplained mood changes Teens are known to fall in love easily, get frustrated and angry, and prone to risky behavior & often experience rapid and unexplained mood changes This part of the brain registers feelings and helps the storage of memories This part of the brain registers feelings and helps the storage 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 Hypothalamus is the control center for the body’s hormone system. It regulates the body’s chemistry. 

 The Amygdala (the alarm system for threats, fear & danger, is also bigger in male brains.) It is responsible for feelings of anger and fear. Also deals with sexual orientation & anxiety.  It has many receptors for Testosterone, so young males are more likely to get angry 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 hippocampus helps the brain make and store memories. Hippocampus acts on testosterone for males. In females it controls menstrual cycle.  It is responsive to estrogen and progesterone which may help girls do better in school 

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 abilities History: past events, info, prejudge State of brain: nutrition, sleep, water Mental state: stress, sickness Brain’s ability to communication (synapse development) Age, developmental state Brain’s communication style & experiences Fight or flight, phobias, abuse Mental 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 needs Areas 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, s, 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.