Headache? Maybe you need to grow a brain!

Review expert: Yin Tielun, deputy chief physician of the Department of Neurology, Airport Branch, Peking University Third Hospital

Think about it, the brain is one of the most important organs. We often talk about it, but do you know how it works? How can we use the brain scientifically, protect and improve brain health?

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In fact, the "intelligence" of the brain varies at different ages, and shows certain changes with age.

In infancy, intelligence develops mainly through various sensory stimulations and parent-child interactions : infants develop their cognitive abilities, language expression, and problem-solving abilities through play, exploration, and social interaction; in childhood, after relatively systematic learning, language ability, logical thinking, memory, and problem-solving abilities gradually develop ; in adolescence, intelligence development roughly reaches maturity—the brain’s development and cognitive functions are further improved, and thinking abilities gradually approach adult levels. Every time we think about a complex problem, it seems that we have to dig and dig in our little heads. So, in addition to thinking, what else does the brain bear for our bodies?

1What does the brain bear for the body?

The brain is the control center of the body, responsible for coordinating and controlling various activities and functions of the body, including physiological processes such as breathing, heartbeat, digestion and immune response, as well as life activities such as movement, sensation, cognition and emotion. The brain receives information from the external environment through sensory organs (such as eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin), and processes and interprets it. It transmits signals through a network of neurons, which are externalized in human activities, manifesting as thinking, action and perception of the world.

In addition, the brain is the center of human thinking, memory, learning and problem solving. It involves cognitive functions such as attention, memory, language, reasoning, decision-making, and participates in the generation, regulation and expression of emotions and feelings, and realizes these functions through complex interconnections between nerve cells.

Source: pixabay

2Do you understand how the brain works?

At first glance, the brain looks like a walnut kernel because it is covered with a layer of wrinkled cerebral cortex. The purpose of these wrinkles is to increase the surface area of ​​the cerebral cortex, thereby breaking the limit of the number of neurons (nerve cells) per unit area and providing more complex connections. The brain and other parts, such as the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system, communicate through these neurons and synapses (connection points between neurons) to transmit electrical and chemical signals, allowing the brain to perceive, think, make decisions and control the activities of various parts of the body.

The brain is responsible for the body's more advanced functions such as movement, cognition and emotions, and is the control center of humans. It consists of the left brain and the right brain, and the left and right brains communicate and transmit information through a structure called the corpus callosum.

The corpus callosum is a bundle of fibers that connects different areas of the left and right brain, allowing the left and right brains to communicate and work in coordination. This connection plays a very important role in the human brain, allowing us to integrate different feelings, thoughts and emotions and respond appropriately. Generally speaking, the left and right brains differ in function.

The left brain is mainly related to language, logical thinking, mathematics and analytical ability, while spatial perception, emotion, creativity and intuition are mainly the functional scope of the right brain. There are many important structures in the brain, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia, etc., which play an important role in regulating emotions, forming memories and controlling movements.

If the brain is so powerful, is there anything it is afraid of?

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3What is the brain most afraid of?

The brain hates lack of oxygen the most. Although it is light in weight, only 1500 grams, its oxygen consumption can reach 20% to 30% of the total oxygen consumption of the human body . Once lacking oxygen for a long time, brain cells will be damaged or even die, and symptoms such as headache, cognitive decline, and syncope will occur.

Furthermore, the brain is afraid of being overused continuously. When cognitive activities, concentration or tasks that require high brain energy are performed for a long time, the brain will feel fatigued, causing problems such as lack of concentration, slow thinking and memory loss.

In addition to hypoxia and fatigue, the brain is also sensitive to some external stimuli and emotional states. For example, stimuli such as severe noise, strong light, and extreme temperature may have a negative impact on the brain. In addition, negative emotional states such as long-term stress, anxiety, and depression can also have adverse effects on the brain. So, how should we protect the brain?

1. Healthy diet : Eating a balanced, varied diet provides the nutrients your brain needs, especially foods rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins, and healthy fats. Moderate intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, such as fish and nuts.

2. Regular exercise : Maintaining a regular fitness habit plays a very important and positive role in improving blood circulation, accelerating oxygen supply, and promoting the growth and connection of nerve cells. Insisting on moderate aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, running, swimming, etc. is beneficial to brain health.

3. Get enough sleep : Maintain a regular sleep schedule and create a comfortable sleeping environment. Sleep helps repair the brain, consolidate memory, and integrate thinking. Sufficient, high-quality sleep is essential for brain health.

4. Postpone or avoid alcohol and smoking : Alcohol and nicotine are harmful to the brain, can damage the function and structure of nerve cells, and increase the risk of related diseases. Try to reduce alcohol and quit smoking.

5. Brain exercise : Keep your mind active and participate in intellectually challenging activities and games. For example, solving puzzles, learning new skills, reading, learning musical instruments, etc. can stimulate the brain's neural connections and promote brain flexibility and cognitive function.

6. Mental health : Managing and reducing stress, knowing how to relax and seek support, and having a positive attitude and emotions can keep the brain healthy and active. However, being in a negative emotional state such as stress, anxiety and depression for a long time will damage the brain to a certain extent.

Source: pixabay

Learning to use the brain scientifically and combining work and rest can help keep the brain young and active, make life full of vitality, and also remember the beautiful moments in life. Let us jointly protect and care for this source of wisdom, center of thinking and treasure house of memory, and look forward to endless possibilities and wonderful experiences!