a few brain structures:
First, an overview. Our brain has 4 main lobes, which are each broadly responsible for a specific range of functions. There’s the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and occipital lobe. Now, here are a few brain structures that are relevant to our lives!
-
Prefrontal Cortex - The prefrontal cortex is at the very front of our head (frontal lobe). It’s responsible for three main functions – distinguishing our personalities, controlling decision making, and controlling impulses. Sometimes, conditions like depression can cause this area to shrink, which means there is significantly less activity in these areas.
-
Amygdala- This tiny almond-like structure is located in the temporal lobe. It’s super important in our immediate emotional responses to certain stimuli. For example, the amygdala plays an important role in the well known fight or flight reaction, choosing to face the emotional stimuli, versus running away from it. Finally, it’s important to memory processing – it associates memories with good/bad emotions. Conditions like depression can enlarge this area, making one feel more responsive when it comes to emotional reactions. Similarly, anxiety can increase brain activity in this region.
-
Hippocampus - This structure is also deep inside the temporal lobe. Just remember: the hippocampus is responsible for everything to do with memory. While conditions like depression can shrink this area, anxiety might increase the activity that goes on in this area.
-
Basal Ganglia - Located underneath the four lobes (together, they are called the cerebral cortex). It’s mostly responsible for our movements, like moving smoothly (sometimes our hands will start shaking, versus normally when they move), starting and stopping movements, and muscle memory.
-
Cingulate Cortex - Also underneath the cerebral cortex. It’s the opposite of the amygdala– processes all the emotions, instead of instantly reacting to them. The cingulate cortex makes us feel more calm, also increasing our focus on specific tasks. Finally, this structure allows us to respond to both physical and emotional pain
-
Thalamus - Just above the brainstem, the thalamus is responsible for the communication that happens within our bodies. The external signals for example, auditory signals, will go through the thalamus first before getting sent to another center to further process. All our senses except smell will go through the thalamus.
-
Hypothalamus - Also located above the brainstem, near the thalamus. It plays an important role in homeostasis – the process by which our body maintains a stable internal environment. Pretty much, the hypothalamus is responsible for the basic functions that keep us alive, yet we don’t think about them. For example, think about hunger, thirst, or even breathing.
what is psychobiology?
Psychobiology is the field of study that involves psychology, neuroscience, and biology. It’s also known as behavioral neuroscience, which is the study of how the biology of our brain influences the way we think, act, and feel. Psychology studies the mind and behavior, focusing on how individuals think, act, and feel both in and out of social contexts. Neuroscience studies the nervous systems – the central nervous system, and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system includes our brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes the nerves that extend across our body. Psychobiology focuses more on the central nervous system, studying what is responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information as well as our motor functions. Finally, biology is just the study of living organisms.
neurotransmitters:
Before we get into the neurotransmitters, here’s an overview of how the brain works. We have specialized brain cells called neurons that transmit signals through spaces between each cell, called synapses. The sending end is called the (axon), while the receiving end is called the dendrite. Different neurotransmitters can be passed to send our cells different messages.
Serotonin
Serotonin is most widely known for its role in regulating our mood, and how we feel about certain things. Low levels of serotonin can lead to depression and anxiety, while having too much serotonin can lead to negative effects as well, one of them being Serotonin Syndrome. This is characterized by headaches, hallucinations, and more. Serotonin also plays a role in our sleep. Did you know that serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, a molecule that makes us fall asleep?
Dopamine
Known as our body’s reward chemical, dopamine makes us feel good when we accomplish something. Similarly to serotonin, low levels of dopamine can cause conditions like depression, but it can also make it hard to focus on specific tasks, possibly leading to lower levels of motivation. Too much dopamine can lead to increased impulsivity, addiction, and some neurological conditions like schizophrenia
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is closely linked with the more commonly known adrenaline, responsible for stress reactions and alertness. It’s important for the fight or flight reaction, providing us with the alertness and preparing us for this reaction. Too much norepinephrine can cause conditions like anxiety, as a result of being on edge all the time. Too little can mean we feel tired all the time, apathy and have a harder time handling stressful situations.
Gamma aminobutyric acid - GABA
It’s an inhibitory neurotransmitter - means that it slows down the signals the nerves send to each other. It plays such an important role in making sure that our nervous system stays calm. Low GABA levels can lead to conditions like ADHD, while high GABA can lead to overall lowered brain activity.
Glutamate
It’s an excitatory neurotransmitter that stimulates brain activity. For example, when we are learning something, glutamate levels will increase, which form better connections, allowing us to remember that information better. Because it’s excitatory, too much of it can make us restless, or even in severe cases, seizures, while not enough leads to poorer memory and other brain functions.
Endorphins
Endorphins are known as the body’s natural painkillers, part of our body’s reward system. Certain activities like exercising or eating can release endorphins, making us feel good. Sometimes, endorphins can affect our physical state, where they will work to diminish the pain we feel after an injury, for example.
