Talking to Serendip

Hi Serendip, and Thank you so much for the great job that you are doing here,
actually, I do have OCD, with compuslions and unwanted thoughts etc,
but what you said at the end of your paper seemed to make so much sense, about the amygdala playing the part
actually mine started after a period of an inward and very intense fear and anxiety about something that I really loved to do but thought was wrong, I remember being very stressed and very emotionally entangled then, the symptoms started from then, and only, only times when I try to be in peace, and be my former self again, and try to think that none of my thoughts are normal or true, for those moments my compulsions completely, COMPLETELY disperse, I really think it should be the amygdala, it's all a saved emotive reaction of my brain and no thoughts interfering in it anymore...
I still believe in and pray for peace, for me and for all the others like me out there....
Z

Hello; Your report on Epilepsy coment on how modern we are, then the odd injuries to the tongue and mouth are backwards. These injuries are caused by ones, as fools, sticking spoons in the mouth and injuring then! Sometimes even ripping the tongue out. They still think one will swallow their tongue and then not be able to breath. They, normal people, are too dump to realise 1. We have noses! 2. The throat can Not be blocked! If they pushed they own tongues back and even stuffed their fingers in, the throat area can Not be blocked!

For a few years ago I had a vision, like a flash on the
Retina. I saw a very detailed image of jesus with a crown
Of thorns. It happened during a prayer and up to
That day it was the only vision I can remember ever
Having. Last week I was scared and prayed for
Protection. Only a few seconds later I saw a vision
Of an angel with wings, cross and a bow. Apart from
These two events I have never had any visions.

I have never seen another face, image, food, sky, tree or
Anything on my retina or I am awame.

Can my brain make up these images and why have I
Not seen other things?

You can see your blind spot "in action" by staring at the test diagrams and moving your computer cursor (the little arrow) around in the area that has disappeared. You can make your cursor disappear and reappear!

Im trying to access this link to do my psych assignment and it is not working. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/int3.html
i have tried to access this multiple times, and it is not working. Please help.!

There is another culprit in the story of lead in our water: the lead industry. For decades after the lead companies knew that lead pipes could cause lead poisoning they continued to sell and promote lead pipes. (see The Lead Industry and Lead Water Pipes: "A Modest Campaign"; Am J Public Health. 2008;98:1584–1592)

Hi,

My name is Kathryn and I'm the author of a new book called Crochet Saved My Life. The book is about the mental and physical health benefits of crochet (and some other crafts). It includes my personal story of crocheting to cope with depression as well as the stories of many other women who healed from a diverse range of ailments thanks to crafting.

I just wanted to let you know that your site was mentioned in passing (with proper reference of course) in this book. I referred to some of the information that was shared in the article on your site titled "An Incomplete List of Cognitive Skills".

Have a great day,
Kathryn

I just read your article on veganism. I am a vegan, and I would have concluded from your article that it is a healthy way to live, so I was surprised by your conclusion that it is not. The reason you gave was that it takes careful planning to be successful. I would offer that it should take careful planning to be successful on any diet. Most of our diseases come from the way we eat. American diets are notoriously bad and there is rampant obesity in our society. I take a daily regimen of probiotics to keep up my immunity and one of the benefits of that is a healthy vitamin B12 level that my body provides me. I don't do fads like all fruit or all anything. I eat mostly green and colorful vegetables, some fruit, beans, nuts, and seeds. I supplement my diet with plant based protein powders, vitamins, and minerals and antioxidants to stay young. I am 69 years old and feel better than I ever have in my life. I am sensitive to a lot of foods so have to be careful about what I eat as well. I stay away from processed foods as much as possible and eat as close to nature as possible with the exception of the protein powder. Most of my food is organic as well. I never get sick anymore either. Finally, my weight is what it was in my 20s, another benefit.

Hi. This is for anybody on Serendip, but specifically to Caroline Feldman. This is a video mini-documentary I made about my possible experiences of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. I was motivated to make it because my recent experience did not meet really any of those listed by AiWS's Wikipedia article, so it's puzzling. I just wish for scientists who are knowledgeable about the condition to see this nine minute video and share their opinions. (and subscribe to my channel, if you care to.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfR1I0t-Buo

Thanks, and take care.

Christopher Haydu

Please check out a Facebook page called "Sexual Attraction - What it is" for a radically new viewpoint one what the composition of sexual attraction is.

Hi I just want to drop a few words I been waching that video of tranquility for a month now and gues what I been divorce for 14 years and I would never think about getting together with some one guess what I was rong I found the most gorgeous girl and she change my mind so for something that I thought never happen again getting in love is all ways nice and I have to thank all for give live again I'm so exited I found that girl I all ways dream of with in a period one month that's strong staff xxx

I am 45 male I lost my hand I would like to know if there is a clinic or study I could get in that would lead me in having another hand? How much are these procedures? I have no money. If you can't help who might?

I have always had to controll my balance and I would walk with a cane. When Im stressed or have the flu become tired and walking is off balance. I have never taken any meds for this. My surgeon said get used to it very sternly. I always earch for new cures to this problem. The stem cells give you energy and balance. Let me read about the procedure.

Thank you,
Pat

MY name is Allie and I have many problems due to the drugs that my parents took while she was pregnant with me in her tummy my teeth did not grow properly my cells in my brain did not form properly my mom smoked weed and did drink and more other drugs doctors did not know the real cause of which drug did what damage to me. I am now 38 my knees are that of a 90 year old because i have been diagnosed with tmj in my joints not just in my jaws i have joint, ligaments and tendons that are slowly not working properly you say weed is good or it don't harm any one but it does if you take while your having a baby sure the baby looks normal but when they grow up its harder for them to learn to keep information in apply their there smarts they are different in the way they think to them its rational to those around them they are considered weird and different. its hard to make friends when my teeth did not grow right they said i needed braces but come to find out i have teeth in my nose cavity and still have baby teeth because the adult teeth behind them are laying side ways in my facial structure you would not know this if you looked at me you would just see me smile and wonder why my teeth are broken and bucked but exrays wow even i was surprised I have no idea what it would take for me to just have a pretty smile to much money that i don't have i did get a quote one time to have them pull my teeth and replace them but my smile would still not be straight teeth and no thank you they cant just pull the baby ones because the adult teeth are laying side ways on top of the babies its really hard to explain but here is the deal all drugs are bad especially if you think you may be come a parent it is the child that suffers and is the child that is going to have an abnormal life and looked at stupid because she or he thinks different looks normal for the most part but suffers from many complicated ailments like depression anxiety A D D Adhd all together and when they take pictures of your brain it never grew normal Now i don't want sympathy from any one it is no ones fault but my parents thc levels in the sperm and thc levels in my moms blood all played a role in how i developed and my brain is still not right I am a mother of 2 kids both girls I did not drink nor smoke nor do drugs and to this day I do not do any of those things because i live the consequences of someones choices on a daily basis. what you do with your life is your choice but when you are having to be part of someone else your life no longer belongs to you it belongs to the one inside that you are responsible for. I have been trying for many years to find out what drugs and what kinds of drinking did this to me but I am not a statistic I have not had a family but the one i created my mom let me be raised by the state because she was to busy being selfish and not caring towards me but I have one question that no one can answer why would you risk your life and the quality of the life one has inside what does one gain by making these choices its not fun any more its more of a chore then any thing my whole life i have ended up being friends with drug users trying to make them change their mind on getting high drunks trying to get them to a point in their life where being sober is more productive but I have yet to suceseed in this problem. for all the ones that drink and smoke weed and do hard drugs no one in your life benifets from your choices it hurts the ones that care for you the most and eventually you will have nothing to show for the life you lived for in the end you will own nothing have nothing because for what you thought was a good time turned into a really bad habbit that has consumed your life and the life of those around you. and in the end no one wins kids loose parents that they really need in their young life and parents loose kids due to the abuse and lies and demons that they have chased and found and now they belong to them not you any longer when in reality as parents we do our best to love them guide them show them but when in due time it becomes their choice of what they are going to do and were all accountable for our own actions its just sad when it s the kids in the middle that suffer the most because we did not ask to be born in to it

I am a third year Psych student and wanted to say how very much I enjoyed Jill McCain's paper written on Language Acquisition. It was written in a clear and concise manner and offered further insight of a different perspective on this subject.

Very interesting idea - Women in Walled Communities, 360 course cluster: But imagine my surprise when I discovered that colleges and prisons are the communities in question! Notably missing are women's monasteries, many of which are indeed homes of silence, voice, and vision, certainly as much as and maybe more than the above. They also are in a deep sense “penitential” communities, not in the sense of punishment but in the sense of perfecting the heart/mind. Although religious traditions (Quaker, Mennonite, Buddhist) are mentioned, walled contemplative communities are not. Study of these communities would I think offer very interesting and useful insight.

I realized this is an old post (1991), but I just stumbled upon it..and I must say I loved it and related to every bit of it! It was thought provoking and articulated nicely. I find it relevant and to the point, maybe even more so today than in 1991. In the same way "telling the truth is a revolutionary act!", thinking is vigilantly discouraged. In my experience, many people--sometimes your own family, really get "put off" when you bring up things that make them think. I admire and respect you PAUL GROBSTEIN [ DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY BRYN MAWR COLLEGE ], for your honesty, integrity, and perseverance in the face of adversity; as well as your insight and wisdom. Thanks for pointing out the 'elephant in the room'...and thanks for "thinking so much" and writing this great article. It is now on StumbleUpon. :) love and blessings! ~ Linda

Who is Marla McConnell, author of "Media and Gender Stereotyping" that appears on this web site? I am a student writing an annotated bibliography and I would like to cite him/her as a source for my project. Please help with any possible info! Thanks!

It seems that your contact page is not working. Can you provide contact information?
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/serendip/contact/

thankyou very much this infomation has helped me alot with my health and social care work as you have talked about all of the aspects about downs syndrome. thanks

I did play The Prisoners' Dilemma by not playing it. I choose not to choose. It seemed to be the most rational option.

HI I SEEN A POST FROM A GIRL CALLED VALERIE FROM DUBLIN, MY DAUGHTER IS 5 MONTHS OLD AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OPTIC NERVE HYPOPLASIA, COULD I BE PUT IN CONTACT WITH THAT GIRL PLEASE AS I AM FROM DUBLIN TOO PLEASE

I would like to make a comment about the free will experiment. Let me begin by talking about flipping a coin - something that seems "random", but in truth is entirely predictable. The coin is subject to the laws of physics, and will follow them - the result of the toss is directly a byproduct of the particular way it was flipped.

In much the same way, your brain is in a particular state, a very complicated one that is a result of your biology and your history, combined into a vortex of neuronal connections. The state it's in is predetermined to see the arrows pointing one way or the other - perhaps a result from being left or right handed, being color blind, growing up in a particular way, or any other factors, etc. Either way, the moment before you loaded the web page you were going to see the arrows pointing either left or right at first. Your brain has learned to parse through visual data coming from the eyes, and it will do as it has always done upon first glancing the arrow image. There was no free will, there was a brain that had learned to make sense of incoming data, and had learned to do it in a particular way. Back to the coin - it is a fallacy to assume that a complex manifestation of seeing an image is beyond the laws that made it happen.

And then you read the statement about whether they are pointing left or right, and you again look at this image, this time more closely. You notice the arrows pointing to the other direction from which you first noticed. Now we are beyond whether the arrows point left or right, and onto the second part. Do you choose the direction you originally saw the arrows pointing, or do you choose the new direction?

I still believe this is not free will. You have a particular history of being tricked on the internet, and probably didn't care too much about what you chose, as you just wanted to see the results of the experiment. However complex your thoughts, they too were a result of your raising and your particular state of mind at the moment before you loaded the page.

If you didn't feel like reading all of that, here's my two cents: you could go back in time, load the web page again, and you would choose the same things again. You have raised your brain a certain way, and it behaves as it does. To believe in a conscious choice that is "above" the physical domain is silly - the coin toss was not random.

This isn't to say your choice was predictable - quantum mechanics indicates that there ARE truly random occurrences, and so perhaps a theoretical perfectly reconstructed model of your brain would not make the same decision as you. But to mistake quantum randomness for free will is a bit of stretch, and certainly a fallacy of the human perspective

Hello, I was wondering if you are doing any clinical trials to cure diabetic retinopathy and/or any other treatments to repair or treat damaged retinas.

wondering if there is much work on memory loss through epilepsy and memory regeneration. Combined with ADHD and head injury...

What scientific articles support the notion that some people are predisposed to eating disorder due to biological components?

Hello, I visited the following web site http://all-science-fair-projects.com/project957_107.htm and l was interested in more information on the How much bacteria do our hands contain? science fair project. However when I click on the link for the project it sends me to the Senrendip site but i get the following error message: Web Page Not Found
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/archive/pdf-old/Microorganisms_everywhere.pdf
We're sorry, but we couldn't find the file you requested on Serendip. It may have moved to a new location.
Please use our search facility to locate pages of interest to you, or try one of the categories listed above.

If you are contacting us about this error, please include the URL of the file you were trying to access: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/archive/pdf-old/Microorganisms_everywhere.pdf
Please let me know if this information is still available. Thanks!

The Ataxia article from this site is one of the most accurate and heart-felt sources of information that I've read. My ataxia was diagnosed only 4 years ago, but I have a hunch it has been around far longer. Kudos to the authors and developers involved in creation of this piece. I think it deserves required reading status for all providers of health care.

I am a practicing artist of six years now in traditional realism. When I draw/paint I look at something and time seems to stop and I rely on an 'instinct' to tell me if my drawing/painting is accurate or not. I paint for hours and it feels like a very short period. In fact my feet often fall asleep from not moving. I am imagining this to be similar to blindsight. I experience a timelessness and I experience a discomfort when my image is incorrect spatially or in value. But color doesn't register and it must be consciously considered before hand. There is speculation that art is a right brain activity but I'm not sure I agree because I use both eyes to paint/draw. I feel certain there is an subconscious element to what I do. And perhaps the subconsciousness is unaware of time. I'm convinced the images I create have a subconscious origin and that much information in the image is 'unseen' but there all the same.

It isn't exactly a fair test of free will. There are four sets out rightward facing arrows and only 3 of left facing, our brains can more easily identify patterns in larger numbers. Try making the picture a bit more symmetric to appropriately test people.

Fellow Toastmasters & Guests, the words of René Descartes have remained to haunt thinking men and women like you and me for three and a half centuries. I say “haunt,” because many of us are still trying to come to terms with the meaning of this lofty, elusive expression. I must confess that it is intrigue that I feel – a compelling, fascinating curiosity to resolve abstract thought into tangible meaning. My purpose is to convince you that I think; therefore, I am...capable of cracking this one!

If I were to offer you a basic explanation of Descartes, it would probably go like this: “I am able to think, therefore I exist.” But there’s an instant shortcoming to this interpretation, because there are many entities in existence that do not enjoy the faculty of thought; there are even human beings who do not actually think (I pray that all toastmasters do!). Do they exist? If you insist that any claim to existence is dependent on the capacity to think, then I beg your pardon, but you must be sitting squarely on your heads right now, because those chairs do not exist – they are incapable of thought!

What is your opinion; do you exist because you think? Or do you think, because you exist? I daresay, there are those who do neither, and so they neither exist, nor do they think. If you do not have a life of your own, you just as well do not exist, because you serve yourself no purpose. And if you do not have thoughts or opinions of your own, you certainly are short of a mental plane on which to perpetuate an existence. I put it to you that I think because I exist. In other words, “I exist, therefore I think.” Now that’s a complete reversal of “Descartesian” philosophy. It means that mind follows body, fattened by the assumption that wherever there is a body there should be a mind.

Let’s get personal: I look at this toastmaster’s audience, and I see you – or so I think; but what I really see are your shapes and forms (your bodies). It is mere assumption that, because your bodies are sitting in this room - on chairs that may not even exist, since they do not think - then your minds are also here. But it is not even a safe assumption; for some of you, while sitting here well-dressed in body, are mentally elsewhere planning tomorrow’s meal menu or wondering how to get the rest of your day’s work done after this meeting.

If we were to reverse the principle to its original state – “I think, therefore I am” – Descartes would be pleased, because, to him, the body was less real than the mind. According to his reasoning, "the mind and body were two separate and distinct entities, but even the body was not so certain a thing as the mind, because, like everything else in the world, the body could only be sensed because there was a mind to sense it." Shall we then reason that body follows mind, so that wherever there are robust minds there must be wonderful bodies?

I-don’t-think-so! Doesn’t Descartes himself insist that “the mind by which I am what I am, is wholly distinct from the body, and is even more easily known than the latter …”? It is neither ideologically logical nor conscientiously consistent to make truth of the notion that mind and body must always swoon in matrimonial bliss. After all, the body may very well be on the decline whenever the mind is on the uprising, because bodily emancipation must be the antithesis of mental liberation.

That’s brain and brawn fighting for supremacy. Descartes could scare find his own body, because the mind by which "he was what he was" had attained such sophistication and elegance that any other form of existence was, for him, immaterial. To be complete in mind was to have no need or care for a body: “I think, therefore I am.” It is enough to know that I think, because that makes me real. And as long as I can think, I can also conclude that this mortal shell, which I can sense by seeing light, hearing sound, feeling heat, smelling the roses, and tasting Jamaican jerk, is my body.

By extension, give me a mind, and I can “think” myself a body; but give me a body, and I may not necessarily be able to grow myself a mind. The body cannot do what the mind can accomplish. Descartes contends that the body could only be sensed because there was a mind to sense it. My contention is whether the one can exist without the other. Would you be happy with a mind that found no refuge in its own material tenement? Or would you find contentment in a physical frame that had no capacity to fathom whether it was a zombie or a corpse?

Where there are no bodies, I do not look for minds, for I perceive that the one must coexist with the other. According to Asian philosophy, Yin-Yang is the balance that coincides and coexists in all things to make life complete – dark and light, female and male, low and high, cold and hot, and, by the same token, body and mind. In truth and in fact, Descartes’ “I am” cannot be limited to mind only, but must embrace both mind and body, because we all exist on a physical as well as a mental/spiritual plane. For you and for me, it is a tripartite equation that may resolve this issue: body (b) + mind (m) ≡ behaviour (bh) or bh≡b+m. Body is the tangible, earthly, physical representation of my “I am”; mind is my perception of sensations that impact my body – the think symbol of my “I am”; and behaviour is change in me resulting from what I perceive as sensations impacting my body as well as my thoughts.

Let’s apply this formula to Descartes’ theory: I think (behaviour), therefore I am (body + mind, i.e., human). It then becomes an exclusive claim that only human beings can make. Body without mind makes me corpse or vegetable, and mind without body makes me spirit; but body with mind makes me human. “I think; therefore, I am [HUMAN].

© 2011 July 21, by Clyve A. Bowen

NB The above is the text of my Toastmasters Speech Project, "The Abstract Concept," from the "Speaking To Inform" Manual. I read your letter to Descartes only after I had finished writing my speech; but I was so fascinated by the similarities and difference between your interpretation and mine that I thought I had to share my speech with you and your readers.

I was wondering if the children on the island of Pingelap have a need for magnifying glasses or sunglasses. I have a source for both as well as reading glasses if they could use them.

Please write me back and let me know who I can communicate with on the island or on Pohnpei

THanks

John Gregory

I was wondering whether you might be interested in featuring some of the resources we have in our Virtual Genetics Education Centre (www.le.ac.uk/vgec) on your interactive biology page (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/biosites.html). As well as featuring a collection of evaluated resources from other sites, the VGEC provides details of a number of activties we have developed ourselves http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/genetics/vgec/genie-resources . All of these activities are available under the creative commons license.

First I would like to say thank you for giving me the ability to ask this question and receive an answer! I am very worried about my husband. He is a 52 year old African American, approximately 155 pounds and was taken by ambulance to the hospital tonight for blacking out after drinking with his "friends". The doctor found his blood alcohol level to be 300.0. My question is how much alcohol did he have to drink for his level to be so high? I am in need of this information due to the fact that he is borderline "wet brain" and sclerosis of the liver. As you can see, I am in dyer need of your assistance at this time.

Thank you in advance
Mrs. Broadway

I tried to submit my post several times using names different from "E Williams," and always received a blurb saying that the spam filter was in effect and my post would not be accepted. Please tell me exactly how a different name can be used and the post accepted - mine certainly was not.

Why did you require my name in the first space above, and most of the comments and posts on the TGA board had names like "Doc", "Anonymous", and did not have names. I find this to be unfair.

Hi,

I am writing my Thesis on using American Sign Language with preverbal infants and toddlers. I included brain research in my literature review and included your picture of cerebral cortex. I need the OK from you saying I can use the picture and how it should be identified.

Please let me know if this is alright with you.

Thank you,
Terry

Thought that you might enjoy the new presentation, "Portraits in the Mind," - with mostly art -
showing the link between synaesthesia and co-consciousness.

If interested, please respond via e-mail, and a free copy will be send to your e-mail.

Kind regards,

Mark Singer
Professor, Communication
Author, "Guidelines for Communication"
Punim Publishing, U.S.A.
www.punimpub.com
punimpub@aol.com
231.719.0358

This site actaully publishes all of the papers right? So I don't get introuble for anything by useing a paper on GM food for my research paper.

In a blog I recently wrote, analyzing the meow of a cat, I noticed that there was a chance for me to prove my theories that Dogs, are in fact superior to cats, and that there might be non subjective data to prove such a theory. I do not believe it is up for interpretation. I believe dogs DO in fact have superior nervous systems to cats. They are a more evolved animal. They are social animals, which means they have need, and are capable of more intricate ways of expression, which they would need in a pack. Whether it be a dog/human pack, or the traditional dog pack. Cats are singular predatory animals that while being super efficient hunters, have much fewer social skills, and are much less capable of expression. I set out to find data to prove this. I first looked for size ratios of brain to body size, but as your data suggests, that proves nothing. so then I thought about the intricacy of the physical brain. Is is smooth, or does it look like a maze. I believe your cephalization, may be indirectly related to how intricate the surface and depth of the brain may be. I believe a more intricate brain, with more "channels" for lack of a better word, would be more dense, thus more cephalized.

I would like to get your thoughts on this for one, and two, I would like to ask permission to re-post your findings on cephalization along with some of my theories, and whatever data I can find, as I would like to set out to informally prove that dogs are in fact Superior to cats, using empirical data.
The original blog post that spawned the idea is below.

thank you!
Mark :)

It isn't exactly a fair test of free will. There are four sets out rightward facing arrows and only 3 of left facing, our brains can more easily identify patterns in larger numbers. Try making the picture a bit more symmetric to appropriately test people.

I love , I mean Love your post, the moment I see like minded people, especially in this regards, it gives me much Hope. Thank you for sharing this. I too am on a Mission to create a New Way for our Youth, and say GoodBye to Schools, or possibly just shift it to a more Creative ,independant Learning center.. Not sure how , but it will happen. I could talk about this forever, thank you so much for sharing. Would Love to connect on F.B.
Rhinda
Rhinda

I am a senior at Milwaukee Institute of Art&Design. One of my final classes to complete my BFA is Evolution. One major project is to present material related to evolution, and I decided on the topic of mammal brain size and how it relates to our concept of intelligence. Your information and resources have been invaluable to my course work. Thank you so much!

Good day,

My name is Danielle and for years I suffered nightly with sleep paralysis, only at the time I had no name for it and even consulted a neurologist about my condition. My friends and family, while sympathetic, could not understand what I was talking about at all. I had all of the classic symptoms, footsteps leading up to my door, awareness of my surroundings, having a dark creature/figure perch at the end of my bed. My paralysis and associated fear last anywhere from one minute to several, and if I didn't wake myself thoroughly, upon falling back to sleep I would fall right back in to the paralyzed state. After awhile I learned how to manage my fear, but I tell you, that first night it happened I was just a teenager and this scared me to no end. Eventually my it was dog who caught on to theses episodes and she became very protective and would lay with me very close at night, and when she noticed I was beginning to try to move, moaning and showing discomfort, she would come and pounce on me and wake me up. Eventually these episodes were witnessed by my family, and they came to watch over me if I should fall asleep beside them or on the couch.
These episodes resolved miraculously on their own about a year ago. I can't think of any factors that contributed to this. But I am glad that they have stopped. I am glad I wasn't 'losing my mind'. Thank you to researchers like you who take the time to investigate this strange and terrifying experience.

Thank you

Danielle

I think the one who is apprehenned first will get the best deal and serve less time.

Hello. I just wanted to send you a message to thank you for the information you make available. I am a writer, author, and poet and I was able to write one of my poems based upon the information you have on your site. Thank you again. The poems is listed below in case you want to read it.

Respectfully,
Deneene A. Collins

Rain On My Brain

Thoughts spinning like a vortex;
a tornado in my cerebral cortex
No damage was done to my intellect
attributed to how my skull protects
So no matter how life's weather
tries to drive me insane
Typhoons full of doom
are nothing more than rain on my brain

Responsible for my highest brain function
is my cerebrum
It's the largest part of my brain,
therefore making a spacious thought plain
for the falling of smart rain
The place of thought and action;
divided into four sections
The skies of men's minds
send out probes
to inquire of my lobes
like the production of crystals
from sweet sugar cane
Little liquid miracles
are the rain on my brain

Associated with reasoning is my frontal lobe
The realm of planning on my mental globe
Where speech, movement, and emotions abide
Solutions to problems this brain part provides
When movement, orientation, and recognition is vital
along with the ability to perceive stimuli
There is a portion of my brain that is not shy
which is a lobe called parietal

There is a section of my brain that is highly visual
Processing sight; it is the lobe called occipital
Interpreting the images of sight
like a translator in the mind's eye
and with it I see
all things vividly
Infinite photos in aquatic frames
are visions of rain falling on my brain

My temporal lobe speaks volumes
perceiving and recognizing the auditory
It is like the ears that inhabit my brain's columns
and holds captive experiences in my memory
It is auditory sensory
further speech capability
An acoustic receptor singing the refrains
of life's multiple songs
over and over all day long
Just like the melody of rain on my brain

My cerebral cortex is highly efficient
due to the wrinkles that increase its surface
Tons of neurons are held within it
making its gyrencephalization
or cortical folding relevant
My cerebrum has two halves
which are the right and left hemispheres
of my brain's potent mass

Each side functions differently
While the left hemisphere is associated with logistic abilities
the right hemisphere is all about creativity
These two hemispheres are divinely connected
by what is called the corpus callosum
a truly brilliant bundle of axons

There is a gray surface of the cerebrum
a little thicker than the average thumb
The white nerve fibers underneath
carry signals within the brain
and between the brain and body
To me, it is similar to the rain
carrying signals from high places to the ground
Almost as profound
as rain in drought drizzling on parched grain
or as phenomenal as rain on my brain

Man is considered an animal
classified as a mammal
Our animalistic instinct is not hid
when we don't keep a lid on our psychological id
And though at times we can be savage
our intelligence gives us an advantage
We have a neocortex
for processing information that is complex
Just like dolphins and primates
but superiorly, I hope you can relate
On the level of our exceptional DNA
by which we are both wild and tame
In an asphalt jungle and concrete rain forest
where rain falls upon our brains

Even though the cerebellum is known as the, "little brain,"
It is not small in concept by any means
It's the center of posture, balance, movement, and coordination
It is the mind's Mecca of regulation
And then there is the Limbic System
buried in the cerebrum
Known as the "emotional brain"
The thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus
it contains...
More than that it has
a much welcomed clashed
Guarding it from things insane
known as rain on the brain

Finally, there is the Brain Stem
underneath the Limbic System
Responsible for basic vital life functions
breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure
are some of them
Made of the pons, medulla, and midbrain
And while poetry, wisdom, insight, and intellectuality
are not considered anatomical parts of the brain
they are and always will be
the refreshing ambiance in every season
Falling with reason
as rain upon our brains

by Deneene A. Collins
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2011

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web1/Rana.html

Time to update your 'research', buddy.
This article is outdated and full of fallacies.

Boyfriend is a former navy seal and was exposed to muster gas in first gulf war. I took him to the hospital other day because he was shaking. Was told he was having a grand mal seizure. His legs and feet sometimes gets numbs. He sometimes has short term memory problems, sometimes he does not "see" items that are right in front of him. We are looking for info about what is occurring as well as quality of life issues, given, that he was told he has a year or so to live. Any info appreciated

Website offer easy, clear explanations. It is a joy to use as a study cortical plasticity. Thank you!

I have a lot of knowledge of CSF leaks, but tried to post a response to a question, but it did not show up. Seriously, I have a great deal to contribute here, so please let me know how to post to: CSF leaks and Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. Thanks.