The science of consciousness

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The thermodynamic Brain and Mental Energy

The connection between the mind and the brain is a fascinating puzzle. Idealism, represented by Kant, Hegel asserts the primacy of consciousness, whereas materialists, such as Dennett, and Churchland considers the mind an illusion produced by brain circuits and mechanisms. Incongruences between the mind and the brain-inspired dualism, a separation of physical and mental states.

The psyche was not subject to a scientific investigation until the focus shifted to the physics of the mind. In emotional animals, the brain produces motivation. Sensory experiences integrate the organism's past, present, and future into an abstract and temporal mental world.

The brain's self-regulation sustains a ground energy state, the so-called resting-state networks (RSNs). Their activity increases in the absence of external stimuli. Information integration formulates a highly abstract representation.

Neuronal activation is built on the resting potential, and the brain’s evoked states are founded on the resting state. The recurring activation cycle in both systems is governed by thermodynamic principles, such as the reversed Carnot or the Carnot cycle, a theoretical ideal thermodynamic cycle. The first process controls the future and enhances intellect and future freedom of action, whereas the second reconstructs the past. Emotional states are related to the brain's energy level.

The resting states maintain the constancy of the self. The sense of effort depends on their constantly shifting energy. Reduction of mental energy might be a diagnostic tool before functional and anatomical changes in Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, psychiatric disorders, and immune problems.

Establishing the energy nature of emotional states can inspire progress in neurology, psychiatry, psychology, and social sciences. Greater understanding of the thermodynamic processes of the brain’s intelligent computational power will allow the development of novel techniques and applications in the rapidly changing fields of AI and robotics.

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Sunday, September 1, 2019

The importance of happiness

In hierarchic societies of the past, the economic necessity to use brute force and tedious work made intellect unnecessary and even dangerous. In the past one hundred years, we experienced a breathtaking technological transformation. Hard physical labor was replaced by machines, whereas human intellectual involvement is increasingly important at every level in the corporate world and society.

The recognition that conflicts and problems between employees tax morale, degrade efficiency, and shorten the time spent on work led to increasing awareness and focus on the human side of the work environment. However, changing personal behavior is a generational problem, which originates in the home environment. In their first years, children absorb behavioral, emotional, and intellectual patterns by observing and copying the family environment. This powerful mental legacy hands the cultural fabric of society to the next generation. Unfortunately, parents also project accumulated fears and less than perfect emotional coping mechanisms onto their children. Thus, children grow up with a rigid mindset from the past and carry emotional triggers that predispose them to failure in modern society.

Emotional instability leads to attention problems, which make it impossible to absorb the school material and handicap a person’s ability to achieve his full potential. People are often willing to hold onto a job that they do not like, in the hope to buy happiness. However, satisfaction is not a commodity that can be purchased, but it is the result of an active, optimistic life. In this sense, happiness means doing meaningful work and satisfying the thirst for the betterment of the self. It is a dynamic, challenging state that feeds on accomplishments. It is a feeling of being an organic part of family, community, and society. It is a constant mental growth that leads to confidence and a belief in the future.

The American Constitution names the pursuit of happiness as a human right. I believe, in the not too distant future, well-being itself is going to be a human right.

My straightforward handbook, The Power of Joy, gives you the tools and advice you need to liberate yourself from your negativity and become the best version of yourself.

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Sunday, August 18, 2019

Emotional intelligence can predict the finish time of long-distance runners

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, and defuse conflict. It ensures emotional stability, which is an important character trait for social relationships, career success, and overall well-being. Because genuine people learn and create meaning from every interaction, they can handle criticism and challenges.

Just as energy flows from warmer to colder matter, more stable (less irritable), confident people tend to gather wisdom and understanding from every experience. It leads to the ability to engage with and relate to others and situations through trust, and to find integrated solutions. Thus, the lack of impulsivity and emotional intelligence goes a long way toward individual success and social cooperation. Having no regrets is an open mind that dares to attract help and the humbleness to accept it. These flexible people adapt to opportunities with ease, even in the boardroom or on the trading floor (traders with a positive attitude and trust tend to earn more). Now, scientists have added one more activity that benefits from a well-balanced personality.

Emotional intelligence can predict the finish time of long-distance runners. In endurance tests, mentally stable people remain emotionally balanced when the going is difficult. A recent paper from the University of Padova explored the links between Emotional intelligence and half-marathon performance. The research found that people with higher marks on this quality ran faster. Long-distance runners with high emotional intelligence handle pain better, blunt the psychological toll of fatigue, and regulate negative emotion through a grueling event. This trait, rather than diet, fitness, coaching, or even training volume or racing history, is the best predictor of finish times in long-distance running.

Read the whole article in 'The Guardian'

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

The power of Learning

Our knowledge-based economy depends on talent, innovation, ingenuity, and hard work. Intellectual capital is becoming the central pillar of society. Technological progress and social change highlight also the need for a diversity of talents. The notable discovery of our generation is that intelligence can be actively improved, This heightens our responsibility to be up-to-date in our fields, to discover and nurture our talents. Respect for individual abilities is nowhere more apparent than in the celebrity culture, whether in film, politics, arts, sports, and science. A college degree is often a requirement for a job, but it is not required for creating a successful life. Nor does a college degree end your need for learning; to stay current requires curiosity and drive toward mental growth.

COPYING Copying, which requires a trusting environment, is the first learning method of children. People who agree imitate each other’s mannerisms and even posture, making copying the most efficient way to acquire knowledge and new skills for adults as well. Even without awareness, it facilitates the familiarization of new material, situations, and organizations.

Positive relationships build social capital. Through mentoring and copying, employees can absorb the culture and the non-written rules of the organization. Gradually building confidence in this way positions you for administrative understanding and leadership. Copying healthy emotional performance can make significant advancement in personal well-being.

LEARNING AND THE MIND Education is an active process to improve a skill or knowledge. Two consecutive stages appear to make up learning. Gathering and absorbing the material is the first stressful and confusing stage, which seems to be essential to conceptualize the information. The challenging phase gives way to the integration of the content; an expanding and positive experience generates order and meaning.

My straightforward handbook, The Power of Joy, gives you the tools and advice you need to liberate yourself from your negativity and become the best version of yourself. Now you can find it on Amazon.

My straightforward handbook, The Power of Joy, gives you the tools and advice to become the best version of yourself.

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

The hypothesis behind the book, 'Emotional Reasoning: Insight into the Conscious Experience'

Consciousness science invites us to explore a fascinating connection between consciousness and the physical world, the idea that consciousness is intricately woven into the fabric of the universe around us.

The book "Emotional Reasoning: Insight into the Conscious Experience" delves into the profound unity that links everything—from the tiniest elementary particles to the vast cosmos. It proposes that the same fundamental laws of nature shape biological evolution, our thoughts and behaviors, and the wonders of the natural world. The universe's formation didn't just happen; it's an ongoing journey toward greater complexity. In this cosmic journey, the emergence of the mind is a significant step toward intellectual sophistication.

As the universe grows more intricate, it offers incredible benefits to humanity, sparking creativity and driving technological leaps. We've witnessed a remarkable evolution in our tools, from coal and steam engines to oil, computer technology, and artificial intelligence. Today, we stand on the brink of the Age of Intellect, when human creativity will take center stage.

In this new era, abundant cosmic energy and resources fuel our rapid advancements. This exhilarating ride hinges on our imaginative thinking. This transformative journey invites us to celebrate and respect the uniqueness of each individual, regardless of race, religion, or culture. By embracing our diversity, we can inspire even greater achievements together.

The book Emotional Reasoning: Insight into the Conscious Experience was published on August 30, 2024.

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Saturday, May 18, 2019

Can deep brain stimulation be used for the treatment of drug addiction?

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) modulates brain activity by implanted electrodes deep in brain tissue. It is currently used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, depression, tremor, or dystonia. It is also suspected that the technique can be used to treat drug addictions because, in addictions, damages to the prefrontal cortex's functioning might diminish impulse control. In the past 15 years, animal DBS studies successfully investigated its potential for addiction to various abused drugs. However, the same treatment in people has high costs, and the difficulties in recruiting patients have hampered clinical experimentation.

In early studies, DBS decreased the severity of cocaine dependence and alcohol cravings. In opioid addiction treatment, five of eight patients in China have stayed off heroin for at least two years, and some patients have remained off drugs for the duration. In addition, DBS improved patients’ depressive and anxious symptoms and increased the subjectively perceived quality of life. More importantly, significant improvement of memory, IQ, and depression, and anxiety experience were found. Read the whole article.

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Friday, May 17, 2019

Increase your productivity by taking a break

Biological, physiological needs, circadian rhythms, and even environmental circumstances influence performance. The superior energy distribution and turnover in the brain ensure the fluid regulation of the mind. Being tired and hungry causes glitches in energy supply, which damages cognitive flexibility, causing a decline in performance. The hectic pace of our day harms the quality of our life. Nervousness and anxiety lead to impatience, sloppiness, and superficiality. Stress erodes determination, which causes negative attitudes to become preferred behavior. A feeling of pressure should be the signal for the need to slow down.

Taking a break is easy to understand, because rest refreshes the mind, increases resilience and fuels determination. As discussed earlier, optimal sleep improves intelligence, bodily function, and spiritual stability. Creating a distance from the grind of every day by spending time within a supporting circle of friends or family can spur a fresh perspective and a new momentum in our thinking. Taking time to help friends, family members, or strangers is a change of mental scenery, which improves goodwill.

A concert, gallery viewing, or walking in nature or a park, elevates the soul; reading meaningful thoughts from a book can turn into a mental vacation. Even domestic activities, such as cooking, cleaning, or organizing, can create an uplifting change of scenery. Humor is an instant confidence booster. Rest allows you to take stock by evaluating whether you are on the right track.

For example, when Microsoft tested out a four-day workweek in its Japan offices, it found that employees were not only happier – but significantly more productive. The shortened weeks led to more efficient meetings and higher productivity (by a staggering 40%). In addition to the increased productivity, employees took 25% less time off during the trial, and electricity use was down 23% in the office with the additional day off per week. In other experiments, people could accomplish their tasks by working only for six hours.

Picture credit: Three Boys at Lake Tanganyika by Martin Munkacsi

My straightforward handbook, The Power of Joy, gives you the tools and advice you need to become the best version of yourself.

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