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ALL IN YOUR MIND
Did you know although the brain registers pain from the rest of the
body it can’t feel pain itself. There are
no pain sensors inside the brain.
WEIGHTY MATTERS
This is about 10 per
cent of body weight. The tripling
of brain weight during the first
year is unique to humans, who
are born with relatively undeveloped
brains (otherwise the baby’s
head would not pass through the birth canal). The adult brain weighs 1,4 kg, about 2
per cent of body weight.
1kg:
Age 1
At one year babies can
control many voluntary movements,
thanks to development in
the frontal lobes.
1,15 kg:
Age 2
A baby brain weighs
80 per cent of an adult brain.
1,2 kg:
Age 6
Because the language
areas of the brain are well developed,
advanced verbal abilities
exist. Children have an impressive
vocabulary, understand grammatical
rules (such as creating
plurals) and use past, present and
future tenses without being aware
of what they are doing.
1,3 kg:
Age 13
During puberty hormones
play an important role in
brain development.
1,5 kg:
Age 18
In young adults the prefrontal
lobes, which are involved
in judgement and behaviour, may
not be fully mature.
1,35 kg:
Age 75
Brain weight is declining
but many cognitive abilities
remain as good as ever.
Question and Answers
Q: DO SMART PARENTS HAVE SMART KIDS?
A: Although there is a strong link between genes and intelligence, the
changes in brain structure are not necessarily genetically predestined. The
brain’s development is intimately linked to interactions with its environment.
Q DO PEOPLE WITH HIGHER IQS HAVE LARGER BRAINS?
A: No, but their brains develop differently because the pruning of unused cells
and connections leads to an increase in the brain’s efficiency.
Quote:
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples;
no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain,
our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness
DALAI LAMA
FACT:
A ‘HAPPY’ BRAIN CAN
HELP FIGHT OFF INFECTIONS.
THE BODY’S
IMMUNE SYSTEM
RESPONDS DIRECTLY TO
CHANGES IN THE BRAIN.
WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF
A SAD EVENT, SUCH AS
THE DEATH OF A LOVED
ONE, THERE CAN BE A
MEASURABLE REDUCTION
IN THE NUMBER OF
INFECTION-FIGHTING
BLOOD CELLS.
DID YOU KNOW?
The brain can alter almost any body
function. If you imagine you’re warm
you can increase the temperature in
your fingers by more than 1°C!
ANYONE HOME? The following factors may impede or limit development of the frontal lobes, the seat of reason
- A lack of sensory stimulation, lack of movement and
lack of touch.
- Exposure to electromagnetic fields, TV, computers and video
games (which causes desensitisation to violence, decreased
imaginative development and less interactive communication).
- Nutritional factors such as inadequate amounts of
protein, lack of essential amino acids and fatty acids,
high carbohydrate and sugar diets and inadequate
water consumption.
- Rigid educational systems,
inappropriate curricula and
inattention to unique learning
styles can also be blamed for limited development.
YOU Pulse Summer 2007/8
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