Although research is advancing at great speed, especially in the field of neuroscience, and we know more and more about everything, it is a reality that the human mind remains largely unknown.
However, there is much knowledge that has come to light on this topic. In this article you will find some curiosities about the human mind related to topics as diverse as: dreams, neurons, the brain, memories, happiness… Don’t miss it!
When we talk about the human mind, in reality it opens up a huge range of many more things intrinsic to it: behavior, thinking, well-being, relationships, dreams, habits, the brain… That is, Behind the concept of “the human mind” there are numerous interesting aspects hidden to know, since the mind is a system as complex as it is wonderful.
Our mind allows us to adapt to the environment, survive, fight, think, relate, get excited, build, solve problems… although it also has its “traps” and can play tricks on us, since it is something very powerful, which we can learn to master. over time (or at least, part of it).
Here you will find, then, some of the curiosities about the human mind, but there are many more.
1. Mirror neurons
The first of the curiosities about the human mind that we are going to talk about has to do with the brain. Neurons, called “mirror neurons”, have been discovered in the brains of people (and animals). They are activated when we perform an action that we observe another person also performing.
These neurons explain, for example, that we can physically feel damage (for example, a blow) done to another person, if we are very emotionally connected to them.
2. Addictions
It has been shown that the brain mechanisms that act in different types of addictions, such as addiction to video games, shopping, alcohol… are the same ones that act in drug addictions (for example heroin).
Among the structures that are activated, we find the brain reward circuit, called the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In this structure and others, a great synthesis and transmission of dopamine occurs, which makes the person feel excited by the consumption of their particular “drug.”
3. We improve monotonous stories
Another curiosity about the human mind is that people we tend to improve the stories we consider boring.
This was evidenced in a series of investigations carried out by the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology of the University of Glasgow, where it was found that people who listened to monotonous or boring stories tended to make them more attractive by rewriting or retelling them (their mind ” reworked” making them more interesting).
4. The happiness of contributing
Psychologists Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, through their studies, demonstrated how spending money on others (especially people we appreciate), produces a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment greater than if we were spending it on ourselves. These authors explain all this in their book HappyMoney. The Science of Happier Spending.
5. The inheritance of phobias
The next of the curiosities about the human mind that we are going to comment on has to do with phobias. And it has been shown how in its transmission, genetics may be involved.
This occurs especially with the phobia of blood/injections/wounds; That is, if our parents (or one of them) suffers from it, it is likely that we do too (it may also be that we “inherit” a genetic predisposition that, added to other factors, increases the probability of suffering from it).
6. Dreams: the great mystery
Dreams are another of the great curiosities about the human mind. All people, to a greater or lesser extent, dream (and it is believed that, every night). What happens is that not all of us remember dreams when we wake up. Furthermore, if we remember them when we wake up but do not mentally review them or write them down, we are more likely to forget them.
On the other hand, it is known that dreams generally have a psychological meaning, which has to do with all that repressed, desired, censored material, etc., that we “veto”, unconsciously, when we are awake.
7. Memories
Another curious fact about the human mind, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, is that, When we remember something, it is not that we remember that specific event but we actually remember the last time we remembered said event or moment.
8. The phantom limb
Many people who have lost a part of their body due to amputation suffer from the so-called “phantom limb syndrome.” This syndrome It implies that the person feels that said part of the body is still there; besides this sensation is linked to others such as sensations of cold, pressure, heat, pain, etc., in that area or part of the body that you no longer really have.
Experts believe that this fact has to do with the fact that the spinal cord is still sending messages to the brain.
Consciousness remains an unsolved mystery, which fields such as neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, philosophy, etc., have been trying to unravel for years.
What is consciousness? How do we access it? Is it possible to really know her? Can it be investigated? Do people in comas have it? There are many questions in relation to it, and also the theories raised, but it is likely to remain a mystery for many years. What is clear is that it will continue to be one of the great curiosities about the human mind.
10. The reproduction of neurons
Brain cells do not reproduce, or so it was believed until recently. However, research provided data to the contrary, and at the moment, according to the studies, some of the brain cells that reproduce are neurons located in the hippocampus (a structure related to memory and memories).
11. Brain plasticity
The human brain is plastic, that is, it has plasticity. Brain or neuronal plasticity (neuroplasticity) is the ability of the brain neurons to regenerate in an anatomical and functional way, forming new synaptic connections depending on learning, needs and demands of the environment.
This plasticity, however, decreases over the years; In childhood it is the more plastic our brain is.
12. Critical periods
In relation to the previous point, we find another of the curiosities about the human mind, and that has to do with the periods in which the brain is more plastic and effective in consolidating certain learning.
That is to say, in childhood there are a series of “critical periods” where the child “must” learn a series of things (for example language), which if not done at that moment, becomes difficult later (because the brain loses this ability to adapt, restructure and regenerate).
