One of the most complex and mysterious parts of the human body that has fascinated scientific scholars from the early enlightenment age is the mind. Over centuries, many have studied rigorously to understand how the mind functions and dwell in its intricacies. And although human understanding of the brain just just the tip of the iceberg, here is what we know about how the human mind works.

How does the brain work?

At the core of the functioning of the brain are neurotransmitters. With the recent breakthroughs in medical science to study the firing of impulses and brain signals via neurotransmitters have helped us understand some of the more general mental processes. With its vast connections of billions of neurotransmitters, the brain sends out electrical signals that influence various aspects of mood, behaviour and cognition. This delicate balance is quite crucial for the healthy function of the human body and any changes in the balance can lead to mental disorders.

The conscious and unconscious process

The human mind works in multiple layers which makes up the conscious and unconscious state of mind. A conscious state is one where we are aware of our thoughts, ideas and perceptions during waking hours while the unconscious state represents more of the information processed by the mind beneath the surface, which influences our behaviour without our explicit awareness.

Emotions and the limbic system

Emotions are the guide that help us through the social and physical landscape and they can be the determinant in decisions, relationships and overall wellbeing of a person. Often a fundamental aspect of human life, the brain plays the most vital role in regulating emotions. For example, the amygdala processes emotional responses to fear or the fight or flight feeling, while memory creation is associated with the hippocampus.

Cognitive processes

The brain is the cognitive powerhouse of the human body and helps with knowledge, problem solving, thinking, memory and attention. Memory involves the storage and retrieval of past experiences while attention allows the mind to focus on specific aspects, irrespective of anything else in the surroundings.

Cognitive functions also include language processing which is the most integral aspect of functioning the modern human society. And as a way of communication with the outside world, language becomes a unique human ability that allows us to express complex ideas and archive knowledge for future generations.

The mind is what makes us human and any imbalances in its function can be devastating to the overall wellbeing of a person.

Frequently asked questions

What are neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are essentially brain cells that fire electrical impulses that transmit information that direct the coordination of the human body.

How do emotions guide decision making?

Emotions can be powerful determinants for decision making and humans are quite prone to impulse decisions. Being a guide to the external world, regulating our emotions is therefore quite essential.

Why is language an ability unique to humans?

Since no other living species are able to form their own language, this is considered an ability unique to humans. This allows us to express complex thoughts and ideas and communicate with the external world.

What are the stages of memory formation?

There are three main stages of memory formation. This includes

• Acquiring information (encode)
• Retaining information (retain) and
• Revival of information (recall)