We are all born with our very own smart device gifted to us and designed by nature. We keep all our memories, our abilities and our skills in it. It is the organ that makes us who we are.
It is our Brain.
Brain week is an initiative by Indian Academy of Neurology, for increasing awareness about brain and its health and related disorders.
So, Hello everyone!
On occasion of brain week, let us discuss a few interesting things about the brain.
Weight of the brain in the adult human being on an average is 1.4 kg. So in an average adult of 70 kg weight, the brain weighs only 2% of our body weight.
Brain is constantly working. Even when we sleep, the brain works. The fuel of the brain is through the blood supply. Through the oxygen and glucose in it.
The blood supply to the brain is 20% of entire blood flow. That shows the extent of the activity of the brain.
So whatever you consume through food, drink, smoke, 20% of it goes to the brain, which, I repeat, is the organ of WHO WE ARE.
So be careful of what you consume.
There are three main types of brain cells: the neurons, the astrocytes. And the oligodendrocytes. The neurons do the main executive function while the astrocytes are maintenance and nurturing cells. The oligodendrocytes produce the myelin that insulates the axons. While the neurons are most important cells of the brain, the role of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes is increasingly being understood and recognised.
During sleep, the brain undergoes maintenance and cleaning processes. The brain cells get busy with the housekeeping function. Hence a good and restful sleep is essential for your brain and mind.
We exist in 3 physiological states (states of body function) as an organism: the awake state, the dream sleep state and the dreamless sleep state. Those who can effectively meditate can exist in yet another state for the brain: the state of meditation, where the brain function changes to an active restful and yet aware state.
To be continued…
- DR. POORNIMA GAURI,
- Consultant Neurologist, Brain and Mind Center,
- CEO and MD, NICHE Advocacy Foundation