Amygdala

neurological changes (hippocampus, PFC, insular lobe and amygdala) have been investigated structurally and functionally to assess how these abnormalities affect the workings of the brain. The hippocampus is a crucial structure in the development, effects and continuation of PTSD. The results have shown a statistically significant reduction in volume bilaterally, across all studies. The results also depicted hypo-responsiveness…

15. Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is made up of neural clusters that aide in regulating thirst, hunger, body temperature, and sexual behavior that ultimately help maintain a normal internal state. More specifically, the hypothalamus helps the brain secrete essential hormones that thus, govern one’s physiological functions, such as the ones mentioned above, by working with the pituitary gland as well as other hormone secreting glands. While people are driving, the hypothalamus makes drivers…

The human brain, just like all the other parts of our body is unique. It gives us the power to speak, think and to solve problems. It works by using the electrical and chemical process to take in, organize, interpret, store and use information. The nervous system is divided into central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord and they are the decision makers of the body. Sensory information gathering and action transmission occurs…

Introspection, Behaviorism, and the Cognitive Revolution Introspection and behaviorism both had faults when it came to defining and proving the science of psychology. Introspection fell quickly to its lack of consistency and true measurability. These shortcomings forced the practice to be replaced with the more researchable theory of behaviorism. Behaviorism held dominance over psychology for a few decades, because of the inclination it had towards the truly measurable observations in the field…

Social anxiety: a beginners guide Social anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses, although it is poorly understood outside of the scientific circle. In fact, social anxiety is the most common anxiety among all other anxiety disorders, Ie. generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobias. 13 out of 100 people will meet the standards for being diagnosed with social anxiety. Anxiety itself is relatively normal, but when it causes a significant amount of distress and hardship…

“Go Away,” a teenage boy screams after getting in an argument with his parents. The teenage brain is constantly changing, resulting in the teenager to make rash decisions that adults don’t understand. Many adults and teenagers don’t realize how different their brains are and perceiving the differences may help improve the bond between parents and the teenager. The reliance on the back of the brain rather then the front, brain’s plasticity and the desire for the unknown are key components that…

In 1959, research psychiatrist Donald F. Klein was studying imipramine, a new drug synthesized by a minor alteration in the chemical structure of the “major tranquilizer” chlorpromazine. Researchers hoped that imipramine, like chlorpromazine, would help people with schizophrenia, whose psychotic symptoms were at that time believed to result from excessive anxiety. Unfortunately, imipramine did not stop delusions or hallucinations, but it did alleviate depressive symptoms in schizophrenic…

visual information; processing sensory information and order complex cognitive behaviours respectively. Same inside the midbrain, there is the limbic system which consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, the corpus callosum, the hippocampus and the amygdala. Their functions are directing incoming information to the cerebrum from receptors; maintaining homeostasis; connecting the left and right side of the brain, retrieving memory and processing basic emotions such as fear, anger and pleasure.…

The question of whether or not psychology is a science is a query which tends to come up in academic circles, usually deteriorating into arguments surrounding the validity of the discipline. Psychology, being the most popular undergraduate major in the United States, is an appealing field of study for many youths considering a career that will not only allow them to flourish monetarily but also helps them to develop the skills they use in social interactions everyday. As a result of its…

In response to stress, the sympathetic nervous system rapidly releases epinephrine and norepinephrine. Through second messengers in the basolateral amygdala, the noradrenergic/norepinephrine (NE) system is a largely implicated in memory consolidation during stress. 103 Epinephrine and norepinephrine are influential in the consolidation and retention of memories during emotional events.59 Noradrenergic…