“The number of cells or neurons found in the human brain is more than the stars in the galaxy.”
Although the world of science has made great progress in recent years, our brain is still a mysterious and complex organ for us, with hidden secrets yet to be revealed.
But much of what we still know about the mind goes to experts like Facundo Menz, who are among the few people who know a lot about the mind.
Argentina-born Facundo Menes holds a doctorate in science from the University of Oxford in the UK, which is awarded to a person with the highest research in the world of science.
Facundo-Manz is the author of several books and has participated in several TV programs that inform the general public about the latest research in the field of brain or neuroscience.
His latest book is called ‘The Brain of the Future’ which he co-authored with Mateo Nero and this book is published in Spain.
In this book, the authors discuss the impact of modern technology on the brain, neuroethics (the study of the ethics of the mind) and the role of science in solving social problems.
During an online conference, the BBC had the opportunity to speak to Facundo men, so we asked them a few questions.
What is so special about the brain?
Among many other features, what makes the brain an amazing organ is that it is the only organ in our body that explains itself.
Everything we do, from breathing to reading this interview or searching for an answer to a philosophical question, is driven by our mind. The mind is the most complex and surprising thing in our universe.
And the number of cells or neurons found in our brain is more than the number of stars in the galaxy.
How much do we know about the brain?
Our knowledge of the brain has grown so much in the last few decades than it has in all of human history.
Let’s mention a few of them. For example, we have shown that the common notion that our memories are stored in a box in our brain is wrong, but our memory is actually the last thing we remember.
We now also know that neurons in our brain continue to be created throughout our lives, even when we become adults.
We now have a better understanding of our own feelings of empathy and are beginning to understand the relationship between the mind and language and the role of the brain in our emotions.
In addition, we have come to know how the circuits of brain cells or neurons work in understanding the environment around us.
Over the years we have also made great strides in the early diagnosis of psychiatric and brain disorders, and our knowledge of how we learn continues to grow.
Our knowledge of the mind can not only improve the lives of individuals but also society.
What more will be discovered about the brain and when will we know?
We understand how the brain works, but we still don’t have a scientific theory that explains how the brain works on a day-to-day basis or in general.
Also, new knowledge raises new questions.
This is the question we can ask ourselves if we will ever fully understand the puzzles of the mind.
Is the mind a complete machine?
I don’t use words like perfect machine when referring to the brain, I talk about its complexity and what the brain is capable of doing.
Our brains are constantly changing throughout our lives. It is actually a flexible organ that has the ability to change itself over time.
This ability in the nervous system of our brain adapts itself to new changes.
This ability is called neuroplasticity. Due to this ability, in response to changes in the surrounding environment, our brain cells or neurons not only make new connections or links with each other, but the neurons start working in a new way.
In other words, we can also say that our experiences change our mind forever. This is the great ability due to which we as humans have evolved over time and humans have been changing themselves according to the surrounding environment.
In terms of its structure, the brain will not change for many centuries to come.
However, the type of new technology that is emerging. Based on this, we can say that perhaps in the future, the effects of genetic modification or genetic engineering on our brain will be greater and with the increasing possibilities in the field of biotechnology, our brain capabilities will also expand.
Today we can alter our genes through artificial selection and thus change our physical or biological characteristics.
In addition, thanks to modern technology, we can also create synthetic fibers or tissues, such as plastic skin and artificial retinas.
It is possible that within the next few centuries we will be able to create neural tissues similar to those found in our brains or repair naturally occurring brain fibers.
This could greatly help in finding cures for dementia and other similar brain diseases.
Some people believe that with the increasing use of modern technology, we will stop using our brains. can this happen?
No, not at all. No machine can replace our mind.
Our brain is something bigger than a data processor. Imagine how capable our social brain is. For example, look at how our brain understands what is going on in another person’s mind, how we understand another person’s pain, and how our brain reacts to another person’s pain.
Compassion, altruism and cooperation are abilities that cannot be possessed by a machine, and these abilities are the foundation of human life.
We must never forget that we are essentially social creatures.
Human brain has taken millions of years to evolve. Can we reverse this evolution with the help of artificial intelligence or any other advanced technology?
Of course, our brain is a product of evolution over centuries because changes at the brain level occur over millennia.
If we look back at our evolutionary history, we can see that the nature of our brain has not changed much in the last two million years.
Therefore, it would be difficult to imagine that there will be any major changes in the structure of the brain in the next few centuries.
Nor will the process of evolution begin to reverse, since a smaller part of the brain is used to remember something or to do small calculations, while for other tasks we need to use more of the brain.
But we should still try not to put too much pressure on our brain by relying too much on technology because we know that if we keep stressing on the brain, it affects both our health and our brain.
What are we, a mind or a collection of emotions?
This is a very good question. We are both mind and emotion because they are not different things.
Emotions also have a place in our brain and these emotions are central to our lives. Emotions affect our memories because we remember best those things that have a deep impact on us.
For example, everyone remembers what they were doing on September 11, 2001 when the Twin Towers (World Trade Center) was attacked in New York, but no one remembers what they did the day before September 11th. I was doing.
In addition, emotions also influence our decision-making process.
In simple words we can say that there are two types of systems in us to make a decision. A system that works automatically and works fast. This system is the religion of our evolution. And the second system is one that works on a slow and rational basis.
Emotions guide us in our decision-making, and reason is usually the explanation that tells us why we made the decision.
How is the corona virus epidemic affecting our brain?
This epidemic is having negative effects on our mind.
The pressure on us is too much. Our routines are completely disrupted, we are scared and alienated from our loved ones. Not being able to do the things we’re used to, and doing the things we’re not used to, during a pandemic requires a lot of effort.
Similarly, the current situation has resulted in economic anxiety, which has caused us to suffer from severe social pressure and has increased the risk of mental illness.
Research shows that if you are isolated from others for long periods of time, it can make you prone to post-traumatic stress, or depression after an accident. Also, you become emotionally exhausted, you suffer from anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, restlessness and irritability.
That’s why it’s so important that we continue with healthy activities such as getting a good night’s sleep, eating healthy foods, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
As much as possible we should follow a routine, sleep, wake up, work, study and exercise on time.
It is also important to strengthen our social relationships because these are the relationships that give us a sense of normality and help us share how we feel with others.
These days in many countries it is not possible to meet each other in person, but we can stay in touch with each other through technology.
In these situations, we should be kind to ourselves. After several months of the pandemic, we should not expect our performance, focus and energy to be the same as before the pandemic.