Steve Wengel, M.D.
UNMC Department of Psychiatry
August 18, 2014
After this presentation, you will be able to:
• Understand how we learn about how the human brain
works
• List major brain areas and their functions
• Describe how normal aging affects brain functions
• Discuss the beneficial effects of meditation on the
human brain
1. Are there pain receptors in the brain?
2. How many neurons are there in the human
brain?
3. How many synapses does a typical neuron
have?
4. Do we make new neurons as adults?
• Messages to and from one side of the body are usually
handled by the opposite side of the brain.
• The folded, crumpled structure of the cerebrum contains
an enormous amount of small and large grooves and bulges,
which greatly increases its overall surface area. Because of
its design, the surface area of the cerebral cortex is tripled
and if laid flat, would cover an area of about three square
feet.
• There are no pain receptors in the brain, so it can feel no
pain.
• There are
100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain.
100 BILLION neurons (nerve cells)
• Each neuron has between 1000 and 10,000 synapses
(connections with other neurons)
• As we age, neurons die
• For most areas of the brain, we do not seem to make
new neurons after birth – but in some areas, we are able
to make new neurons
• The human brain is the fattest organ in the body, consisting
of at least 60% fat.
• While awake, your brain generates between 10 and 23
watts of power–or enough energy to power a light bulb.
• Humans experience about 70,000 thoughts each day.
• Children who learn two languages before the age of five
alter their brain structure to have much denser gray matter
as adults.
• As we age, our brains lose mass.
Wait for something bad to happen to a normal
person, and see what the result of this is
Do experiments on other species
Do experiments on humans
Find a safe technology to study the brain
Term used to describe complex brain functions
like:
• Planning ahead
• Anticipating consequences
• Supplying motivation and drive
• Suppressing inappropriate behaviors
Gradual process
Starts around pre-teen years
Fully develops only in the 20s (or never!)
Term used to describe
sudden, intense,
unconscious emotional
response which “takes
over” higher brain
centers
Activation of fight or flight mechanism
Overactivity of sympathetic nervous system
• Catecholamine release
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
• Cortisol release
• Neuropeptide S
Cortisol release:
• Impaired concentration, short-term memory
• Hippocampal atrophy
Neuropeptide S
• Insomnia
• Sense of urgency
Decreased anxiety
Better sleep
Better problem-solving
Increased empathy
Better patient care
Increased cortical thickness in
• Prefrontal cortex
Increased attention
Enhancement of complex cognitive behaviors
• Right anterior insula
Integration of body sensation, emotions
S. Lazar, Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital 2006
Term coined by Herbert Benson, M.D.
• Cardiologist at Harvard
• Lifelong research on role of stress on health, and
positive effects of eliciting relaxation
• Basic tenet: stress response and relaxation response are
both hard wired, and mutually exclusive
The following is the generic technique taught at the
Benson-Henry Institute:
Pick a focus word, short phrase, or prayer that is firmly
rooted in your belief system, such as "one," "peace,"
"The Lord is my shepherd," "Hail Mary full of grace," or
"shalom."
Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
Close your eyes.
Breathe slowly and naturally, and as you do, say your
focus word, sound, phrase, or prayer silently to yourself
as you exhale.
Assume a passive attitude. Don't worry about how well
you're doing. When other thoughts come to mind, simply say
to yourself, "Oh well," and gently return to your repetition.
Continue for 10 to 20 minutes.
Do not stand immediately. Continue sitting quietly for a
minute or so, allowing other thoughts to return. Then open
your eyes and sit for another minute before rising.
Practice the technique once or twice daily. Good times to do
so are before breakfast and before dinner.
Don’t do the technique within 2 hours after a heavy meal.
www. relaxationresponse.org
When you wash the dishes, wash the dishes
“Stop” for 1-3 minutes every hour during the
workday to focus on your breathing, bodily
sensations, and thoughts and feelings
Once a week, eat a meal in silence, paying
attention to all elements of the experience – the
taste, texture and temperature of the food; the
muscles you use to cut the food and bring it to
your mouth; etc.
When getting dressed, start with the opposite
arm or leg than you usually use
Try brushing your teeth with the opposite
hand, or at least start on the opposite side of
your mouth
