Think about it

e have come on in leaps and bounds in the fields of research, neurosurgery and neurological treatment for many conditions; but the human brain is still somewhat uncharted territory. Much more is known now, than several decades ago, about the complex electrical system that the brain is; which parts are responsible for language, memory, fear, laughter and motor function. A little more light has been shed on what happens in the brains of patients with depression, dementia and other conditions. Thanks to ingenious imaging, researchers can see which parts of the brain “light-up” when study volunteers are asked to carry out a variety of tasks.

But, we have barely begun to scratch the surface, to understand how our brains translate, infer, and adapt to environmental stimuli. How creativity, superstition, musical ability, mathematical prowess and even our prejudices are formed and honed in the complex knot of billions of neurons and supporting cells that we call our mind.

It may feel a bit like picking yourself up by your boot-laces, but why not celebrate Brain Awareness Week by putting aside a bit of time to think about your amazing, extraordinary brain?

Here’s the brain, as explained by Monthy Python’s John Cleese (skip to about 35 seconds in):