Brain, Drugs, and Balance

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. The brain is a keystone to intelligence, the creator of body movements, the interpreter of  senses, and the dictator of behavior. Although it only weighs roughly around three pounds, it has the ability to control the entirety of a human body. The brain consists of various essential pieces which each play a critical role in controlling balance in the body. The lobes of the brain, the cerebellum, and the brain stem are several examples of the portions that form the organ. Each portion is designed to monitor and govern certain tasks. Some of those tasks are memory, vision, motor learning, balance, as well as actions like breathing and heartbeat. The human brain is located in the head region near the majority of the sensory organs used for auditory, taste, smell, and vision. This allows for the body to easily transmit signals from the sensory organs to the brain. However, the brain not only receives signals from close proximity organs but also from the rest of the body. In order for the body to receive and send signals throughout, additional help is required. This additional help is the nervous system which is used to transmit signals back and forth from body to the brain and vice versa.

The nervous system is divided into two categories, the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord while the PNS consists of the nerves that are run throughout the body. For example, when you want to move your hand, a signal is passed through neurons in the PNS which eventually reaches the spinal cord (part of CNS) where it then travels to the brain and the signal is detected. After detecting the signal, the brain in return will send  a signal back through the brainstem toward the area from where the initial signal came. This type of communication is what allows for reactions like hand movement to occur in the body. Within the human body, there are two groups of functions that help monitor, regulate, and perform bodily functions. These two groups are involuntary functions and voluntary functions. Involuntary functions are continuous signals and responses that aren’t typically recognized by the common person but are vital to survival. These types of signals and responses are those like breathing and heartbeat. Both of these examples “just occur” day in and day out without the process of thinking to do it. Voluntary functions are the opposite and are signals and responses we think about before they are performed, like muscle movement.

 During the activity of signaling, the brain can send signals that also stimulate the release of hormones or that activate enzymes to perform chemical reactions. In a situation of fight or flight, not only are the signals creating muscle movement, but epinephrine, a hormone, is released to help with energy metabolism. While multiple processes occur at once in a situation of fight or flight, the brain is still responsible for regulating balance in the body. Regulation can be controlled in various forms; one being through feedback loops. Feedback loops can either be positive (promotes more stimulus through enhancers) or negative (deters more stimulus through inhibitors). As the brain sends positive feedback signals out to the body to accommodate needs and retain balance, it also watches for signals from negative feedback telling it to stop sending signals. Returning to our example of epinephrine, when in need, the body will enhance signals that aid in energy production so the muscles can move as needed. However, when the body no longer needs the extra energy, the brain will detect a negative feedback signal and it will inhibit sending signals for more energy. The regulation in the body is to ensure that it stays balanced and at homeostasis while thousands of actions occur throughout the body simultaneously. 

Maintaining balance in the body can be challenging at times. Even though the brain controls our body movements, our intelligence, and behavior; there are many other organs and body parts that have to function correctly to maintain homeostasis. An ancient form of medicine known as Ayurveda bases its foundation around balance of the body, mind, and spirit. This type of treatment is a more natural treatment method compared to modern western medicine. Even though it treats its patients in a very different format, it has proven to be effective in several studies. 

The well-being of a human is not only physical but mental and social as well. Ayurveda, through natural medicine, strives to provide treatment in all three areas providing a better overall health in a person. Unfortunately, sometimes this type of treatment is insufficient and a different type of treatment is needed. Someone with diabetes is unable to correct the imbalance of blood glucose levels by natural means due to the low levels of insulin naturally produced by the body. In this scenario, artificial insulin injections must be administered so that the glucose in the blood can be broken down and the blood glucose levels can return to normal levels. In another scenario related to glucose levels, if there is a deficiency in any enzyme used in glycogenolysis, then glycogen storages could not be broken down into a usable form of energy for cells to use. This would result in the person having to look for an alternative solution to regain this balance in the body. In order to regain energy consumption balance in the body, the person would have to eat carbohydrates about every half hour to provide the body with enough glucose in the blood to be sufficient for their energy requirements. This solution isn’t a modern western medicine that uses artificial drugs but is a form of treatment using natural resources in an unnatural way. There are many other diseases, illnesses, and deficiencies that require drugs to be introduced into the body to make sure the body stays in balance.

It is very interesting how quickly the brain can adapt to new situations. The brain is able to filter through substances that come into contact with the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) and either grant or deny the entrance of molecules into the microenvironment of neurons. If the brain grants access for a molecule to pass through the barrier, cellular transport channels (amino acid transporters) will assist in its passing. When certain drugs or medications are needed, they are introduced into the body by one of three ways; orally, inhaled, or intravenously. These drug molecules are created to be able to pass through the BBB and influence stimulus within the body. Sometimes the drugs directly contain the solution, sometimes they enhance or inhibit the release of hormones, and sometimes they activate or deactivate enzymes. There are many other ways drugs can react in the body but those are some examples. If the drugs are administered in precise amounts, the person will actually benefit from the molecule being introduced into the body. In some ways, it is as if the brain works “alongside” the drug to maintain or regain balance in the body. Common drugs like NSAIDS (Advil, Ibuprofen), over the counter pain and inflammatory drugs, are used to enhance the body’s reaction to pain or inflammation. These drugs and many others can work with the brain to fix a large majority of big and small interruptions that help maintain body balance. Even though modern western medicine has its perks, it does not always work. There are many diseases that exist that do not have cures, some that only have temporary treatments, and others that have no treatment option. What I found most interesting is that many of those diseases attack the brain directly.

Mental illnesses exist in various forms and unfortunately the commonality of these diseases is increasing. These types of illnesses are difficult to understand and many can be vigorous. For me personally, thinking of the responsibility and the necessity of the brain and then knowing that there are illnesses that exist that affect the main control center of our bodies leaves an uneasy feeling. What does one do when the main organ that controls the body is now not working one hundred percent efficiently? Diseases and disorders like Alzheimers, Dementia, Depression, Schizophrenia, Drug Abuse, and many more all have very distinct differences but all directly attack the brain in one way or another. Some may affect a certain location of the brain and others may affect multiple. You may see that it throws chemical balances off by either inhibition or by an over enhancement. Some can be caused by genetics, others by environmental factors, and others we cause for ourselves. It can vary depending on the disease or disorder but the results don’t only affect the brain but also other bodily functions. Since the brain controls the balance of the entire body, when it is not balanced itself, it is unable to maintain balance of the body overall. This can lead to more complications occurring, it can result in alterations in the body that can cause more diseases, and the list goes on. Scientists and researchers have been working for years on developing treatments for people who suffer from mental health. Ayurveda has shown to help with forms of Dementia and Alzheimers and modern western medication has shown to help with diseases like Schizophrenia and drug abuse rehabilitation. Other alterations that involve prions do not have any type of treatment to help with symptoms or with slowing the development of the disease. 

The body is unique and very sophisticated and the brain which controls it matches in complexity. Balance of all living matter is essential to life and that includes the balance of the body. The brain is the organ in control and when functioning normally, it is able to balance the body as thousands of reactions occur at once. Science has provided methods to treat the imbalance of the body to maintain proper health. Various forms of treatment ranging from natural resources to artificial drugs have been created to work alongside the brain to ensure that balance stays in check. The overall well-being of a human depends on their physical, mental, and spiritual health. For years science has provided new medications and treatments to keep our physical health in balance when the body needs assistance in doing so. Pastors, religion, faith, and other forms of spiritual growth and health have been established for years to help people find a spiritual balance. In today's world, the battle lies in the mental health of humans. Numbers in detrimental mental illnesses are increasing and the focus is fixed on these issues. The brain is vital to our health and the understanding of this organ is crucial. Researchers understand the severity of the issue and many studies and a lot of time are being designated to this problem at hand. As technology and knowledge advances, so can the hope that there are solutions out there. With a more complete understanding of health, metabolism, the brain, and the function of drugs, the solution only becomes easier to find.