Understanding the structure and complexity of the brain enables us to interpret environmental and physical signals on a regular basis. Each hemisphere and lobe of the brain contributes significantly to how the body systems function as a whole. The important thing to remember is that these all work together to interpret language, perception, memory, and reasoning. Our brain can adjust to our needs if we are in almost any environment. When exposed to extreme heat, the body sends a signal to regulate temperature by excreting sodium salts and nitrogenous waste (sweat), thus cooling the body. When we shiver (rhythmic muscle contractions) or get goosebumps, the brain raises the body's core temperature to achieve homeostasis. Because of its tremendous capabilities, our brain is frequently compared to a computer. The brain's over 100 billion nerve connections are what make it so complicated. The nerves communicate with one another via synapses that connect each cell. The mid brain, fore brain, and hind brain are the three main sections of the brain. It also comprises specific regions throughout the three divisions of the brain, such as the brain stem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. Without the brain, we would be unable to do the numerous functions that allow individuals to be human. When studying the brain, it is critical and fascinating to focus on the impact of medications, accidents, diseases, and mental disabilities on it. If something within the brain fails, as it does with any complex organ in our body, it can cause significant changes in the person's personality and conduct.
One way that the brain can malfunction is through mental disorders. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), A mental disorder is a condition that affects a person's thoughts, feelings, behavior, or mood. These diseases have a significant influence on day-to-day life and may impair one's capacity to relate to others. There are several mental illnesses, each with its own set of symptoms. They are typically distinguished by a mix of aberrant beliefs, perceptions, emotions, behavior, and interpersonal connections. Depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia and other psychoses, dementia, and developmental disorders such as autism are all prevalent mental diseases. Personality and mood disorders are the most prevalent types of mental illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the most common mental illnesses and the main cause of disability worldwide. It affects an estimated 264 million individuals worldwide. Women typically are more impacted than males. A mental health issue is not the outcome of a single occurrence. According to the research, there are many, interconnected reasons. Genetics, environment, and lifestyle all have an impact on whether or not someone develops a mental health issue (NAMI 2017). In the last couple of decades there have been medical advances/strategies for preventing mental disorders.The impact of mental illnesses continues to rise, with serious repercussions for health, human rights, and economic consequences in every country.
Another way that the brain can be affected is through traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A TBI is a brain injury that was induced by an external physical impact. It may result in a reduced level of consciousness. It usually causes impairments in cognitive ability or physical functioning, as well as mood, personality, impulsive aggressiveness, and impaired self-regulation. They are frequently regarded as a risk factor for mental illnesses. TBI’s are not the typical injury where they can be fully healed. The individual and how their body reacts greatly impact the level of healing after a brain damage. Even minor concussions can have long-term consequences, but moderate to severe brain damage can sometimes lead to near-complete recovery. Predictions are difficult because of the numerous variable elements that change across individuals, such as the part of the brain damaged, quality of rehabilitation and support, and the severity of injury (Helliwell 2019). No injury is the same and the consequence of similar injuries can be very different. Causes of TBIs include car accidents, firearms, and falls, open/closed head injuries, hypoxia, concussion, tumors, infections, strokes, and chemical/toxins. I've been working at Cedar City Chrysalis for the past year now, and I've assisted a number of people who have suffered from TBIs. While dealing with their emotional changes might be challenging at times, it is also satisfying to be able to assist people in need.
There are several examples, both legal and illegal, of how these medicines influence the body's homeostasis. Because their chemical structure is similar to that of a natural neurotransmitter in the body, marijuana and heroin can stimulate neurons. This enables the medicines to bind to and stimulate neurons. Although these medicines resemble the brain's own chemicals, they do not stimulate neurons in the same manner that a natural neurotransmitter does, resulting in aberrant messages being transmitted across the network.Other drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamine, can stimulate neurons to release unusually high amounts of endogenous neurotransmitters or interfere with transporters, preventing the regular recycling of these brain chemicals. This, also, increases or disturbs normal neuron interaction.
While illegal drugs have the scary ability to negatively affect the normal pathways that occur in neurons, we also need to recognize legal drugs and their abilities as well. Prescription drugs can be and are as scary as illegal drugs. Just like illicit drugs, prescription medications can change moods, emotions, physiological processes, and behaviors through interacting with the brain. When I had all four of my wisdom teeth taken out at the end of my 8th grade year I was prescribed hydrocodone acetaminophen. My dad has never been a big fan of taking major drugs and was wary of me after the doctor prescribed me the generic version of Vicodin. If I wanted to take painkillers during that time, I would have to use regular acetaminophen (Tylenol). If, and only if, the pain was unbearable I would be allowed to take ½ the hydrocodone acetaminophen. When I was younger, I never realized the side effects and the consequences of drugs and how they affected the body. I knew that addiction was common, but I did not realize that I could become addicted to prescription drugs.
When Ayurveda is brought into the discussion, it is clear that everything is interconnected. If the brain is undergoing stress or has a chemical imbalance, it can be mirrored in other organs throughout the body. Small difficulties might then compound, leading to a more serious or disastrous outcome. The Ayurveda idea was highlighted because of chemical imbalances in the brain produced by mental illnesses or drug usage. The body will then generate a sense of homeostasis as a result of the imbalances.
Gabbard G. O. (2005). Mind, brain, and personality disorders. The American journal of psychiatry, 162(4), 648–655. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.162.4.648
Helliwell, S. (2019, September 16). Can the brain heal itself after brain damage? Ison Harrison Solicitors. https://www.isonharrison.co.uk/blog/can-the-brain-heal-itself-after-brain-damage/.
Mental health conditions. NAMI. (2017). https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions.
Patwardhan, B., Vaidya, A., & Chorghade, M. (2004). Ayurveda and natural products drug discovery. Current Science, 86(6), 789-799. Retrieved July 16, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/24109136
Pfaller, A. Y., Nelson, L. D., Apps, J. N., Walter, K. D., & McCrea, M. A. (2016). Frequency and Outcomes of a Symptom-Free Waiting Period After Sport-Related Concussion. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(11), 2941–2946. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546516651821
World Health Organization. (2019, November 28). Mental disorders. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders.
Hey Ashlee, I really like the structure of your paper. It flows nicely with relevant factors that pertain to the brain (i.e. mental disorders, TBI, drugs, ayurveda) and it's very eloquently written. To be honest, I still think it's crazy that we can get addicted to prescription drugs. When I was a kid and did the "DARE" program in elementary school (I don't know if you had to do it too but it basically had a theme song and committed us not to do drugs), I learned about alcohol and illegal drug abuse, but opioids and other prescribed meds were never a thing. That should be something everyone should be exposed to when we're first learning about medications and/ or drugs though. The reason addiction is so high is because of lack of education, lack of resources (food, house security, etc) or even the lack of a good home life/ environment. Truthfully, there are hundreds of layers to how we look at and interpret the brain.
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ReplyDeleteI like in the very last paragraph when you mentioned that with all the complexities of the brain that you had just mentioned, that even still just one small little change in the brain chemistry in a person can have a compound effect and lead to many other issues. The brain is so complex and is responsible for so much that even one little change can be devastating. Yet, at the same time, people are often able to recover from moderate brain damage. What you said about opioids is very true as well. Prescription drugs can be very dangerous and especially at young ages it can really alter the brain irreparably.
ReplyDeleteI love you section on the seriousness of both illegal and legal drugs. I think that as a society we are all too worried about illegal substances and how negative they can be for our general population, but forget that legal drugs taken legally can harm us just as much as illegal ones. Hopefully our doctors will know how to avoid this but they make mistakes too. I think it is crutial to never underestimate the power of pharmaceuticals because at the end of the day they have the power to change our entire lives, for better or for worse.
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