Neuroscience Today

In this week’s lecture, the professor brings up an important man named Fraz Joseph Gall, who showed us how the brain looked using phrenology. He believed the functions of the body were localized in specific regions of the brain. Considering the lack of technology then, this did not seem so far fetched. Even though he has since been proved wrong, his concept of localizations was proven correct and has since been used in treatment today. As Christopher deCharms states, “There have been three ways to try to impact the brain. The therapist couch, pills, and the knife.”  

He goes on to state that now there is a new type of technology using MRIs to show how the brain can be used to self- heal. In the MRI, it shows the pain from the body in real time and where these localized spots in the body correspond to locations in the brain. Then, people can use their brain to control their pain; this notion has lead to improvement in clinical trials by a 34-64 decrease in chronic pain.

In addition, research on meditation has shown increased focus and control over emotions. This increased control is similar to the above study that controls pain. Ultimately, the way science has opened up new avenues of the brain has showed how we can expand the world we live in and make it better. Lobsang Rapgay believes that we can use different facets to explore how people can work together to “gain great mental flexibility, creativity and compassion” through the use of neuroscience.

Works Cited:

DeCharms, Christopher. "A Look inside the Brain in Real Time." Ted Talks. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

Lin, Judy. "Neuroscientist Helps Pave Way for Dalai Lama's Visit." UCLA Newsroom. N.p., 24 Feb. 2011. Web. 18 May 2015.

Ramachandran, VS. "3 Clues to Understanding Your Brain." Ted Talks. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

Vesna, Victoria. “Conscious / Memory (Part 1).” Lecture. 17 May 2015.

Wheeler, Mark. "How to Build a Bigger Brain." UCLA Newsroom. N.p., 12 May 2009. Web. 18 May 2015.