How can the mind be altered by changes to the brain?

 This is my entry to the Minds Underground Psychology essay competition. Sadly I did not win, but hopefully it provides an interesting read for you regardless!

How can the mind be altered by changes to the brain? 

Neuroplasticity

The understanding of how the brain is able to adapt has changed overtime. It was originally believed that after the brain finishes developing in childhood, past this point it is no longer able to adapt and change. However, the understanding of the brain has changed and developed overtime with the term “plasticity” being used to describe the state of the brain. 

Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change and adapt its activity in response to external stimuli (Puderbaugh M, Emmady PD, 2022). This process of adaptation is evident in a well known study performed by Ivan Pavlov (1927) where pathways in the dog’s brains adapted to strengthen the association between the sound of a bell and the receival of meat, resulting in salivation. Learning and classical conditioning are clear examples of neuroplasticity as repetition strengthens neural pathways by strengthening synaptic transmission. 

However, this concept of neuroplasticity is applicable to other scenarios such as injuries and addiction as we see morphologic changes in brain structure resulting in the altering of the mind. 

Lobotomies: A way to tinker with the brain and mind

It is believed that lobotomies were firstly performed during the late 19th century and were more commonly practised throughout the 20th century. The purpose of lobotomies was to treat severe mental disorders and commonly involved interfering with the frontal lobe, the extreme end of procedures involving entire removals of the frontal lobe (Mary West. 2022). 

Patients who received this treatment for mood disorders tended to display a decrease in their original symptoms, such as extreme distress. However, they also demonstrated an increase in apathy and lacked the emotional response to events in their everyday lives (Britannica, 2023). Considering that the mind refers to how we perceive and process our stream of consciousness, from these controversial practices it is clear to determine that drastic changes to the brain are parallel to making drastic changes to the mind. If the concept of the mind is encompassed by how we think and feel, these patients have lost a part of their mind with their brain. The victims of these intrusive procedures lost what was their original way of perceiving the world as the mind adapted to be apathetic due to absence of the frontal lobe.

From a modern perspective, the results of these procedures open up a door to answering how the mind is altered by the brain as it's clear that damage to the brain is damage to the mind. This can be explored in modern situations as medical knowledge and treatments have evolved with the rise of science and technology.

Drugs: The new way to tinker with the brain and mind

The modern development of drugs has opened a new doorway to how we can change the brain, and in turn the mind. Unlike lobotomies, the use of drugs are non invasive and more accessible making them subject to misuse recreationally. Drugs can be classified into stimulants, opioids, depressants, hallucinogens, inhalants and cannabis. These all can have a range of effects on the user from relaxation to euphoria (Abby Doty, Michelle Giordano, 2022). 

The effect of drugs: The legal

Medications are an example of how the function of the brain is purposefully altered for the benefit of the mind. Antidepressants inhibit the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters during synaptic transmission. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a commonly prescribed antidepressant. SSRIs prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed by nerve cells which allows more serotonin to be available to pass further between more nerve cells. This helps to produce a rise in serotonin level which in turn alters the mind. 

The higher serotonin levels associated with taking SSRIs are utilised by CBT therapists treating individuals with depression due to its effectiveness compared to CBT alone, as found by March et al (2007). Changes during synaptic transmission improves the mood of those with depression allowing them to be more open testing the reality of their negative beliefs by engaging with CBT.

However, medications aren’t the only substances that can alter your mind for the better. The consumption of a morning cup of coffee can have an interesting effect on brain activity. Coffee as well as many other common beverages such as tea and soft drinks contains a well known stimulant: caffeine. Caffeine has many effects on the brain, in particular its ability to inhibit adenosine by binding to adenosine-receptors. This causes an increase in activity in the brain as adenosine promotes sleep and suppresses arousal by slowing synaptic transmission (Ananya Mandal n.d.). 

This increase in activity also leads to the secretion of adrenalin by the pituitary gland. Arguably this has a positive effect on the mind as the ability to concentrate is enhanced by the release of adrenaline as adrenaline triggers the body's fight-or-flight response. 

However, caffeine has common negative effects on anxiety and the inability to sleep due to being in this state of high arousal. Furthermore, constant and excessive use has been reported to lead to dependence on caffeine and symptoms of withdrawal. Although caffeine can have negative effects, it’s on a smaller level compared to what is commonly associated with the intense effect of illegal drugs.

The effect of drugs: The illegal

Heroin is an opioid made from morphine that is taken from poppy plants. It can cause intense feelings of euphoria and relaxation that provide reason for its use and dependence on heroin develops quickly. This is due to opioids attaching to receptors on neurons that triggers the process of rewarding useful behaviours such as eating or sex with feelings of pleasure (Thomas Kosten, Tony George, 2002). This surged trigger in this pathway is remembered. The conditioned association of opioids with this pleasure is enough to trigger cravings and feelings of withdrawal when these cravings aren’t met. The strengthening of these neural pathways is an example of neuroplasticity and its effects are devastating in enabling repeated drug use.

Repeated heroin use has drastic effects on the physiology of the brain. There is deterioration in the brain’s white matter.  White matter is tissue that consists of many axons that are covered in white "myelin". Their role is to connect areas of the brain together. This reduction in white matter mainly occurs in the connections between the frontal and limbic structures. The frontal part of the limbic system links senses with pleasant memories. Deterioration in these areas are associated with less self-control which alters how one thinks and behaves as they struggle to stop taking the drug. 

Addiction has a major effect on the ability of the mind as reasoning and thinking is severely affected by the need to meet cravings. There is a greater focus on meeting these needs which can lead to the disregard of rational thinking. Unfortunately, this leads to many engaging with poor decision making and destructive behaviours. The effect of addiction on the brain and mind can be likened to a disease due to its complex and somewhat uncontrollable nature. 

When Biological processes go wrong: A faulty gene

Our genes contain the information required to produce proteins that are essential to the body’s ability to survive and grow. Both the mother and father contribute to the genes inherited by their offspring resulting in hereditary traits. As humans, we have 23 chromosomes that carry our genetic code. A defect in any of these chromosomes can have a big impact on the traits of the offspring. 

Take chromosome 4 as an example, a single defect in one of the genes on this chromosome results in the brain disorder Huntington's disease. This defective gene codes for defective huntingtin proteins that lead to the degeneration of nerve cells (Alzheimer’s Association, .n.d). This disease occurs in areas of the brain that control voluntary movements resulting in uncontrollable movements.

There are a range of changes to the mind caused by Huntington’s disease such as a decline in thinking and reasoning skills and changes in personality and mood. 

The decline in thinking and reasoning affects memory, concentration and judgement. OCD can also develop due to this as an individual with the disease might repeat the same activities over and over. Alterations in mood tend to involve depression and outbursts of anger which can be amplified by frustrations towards the inability to care for oneself and remember certain information (Alzheimer’s Association, .n.d).

The impact of dementia disorders on the mind is a saddening one. The decline in thinking results in more emotional reactions to situations, especially if an individual has lost the words to express how they feel. They may not trust their own judgement due to their diagnosis and may feel insecure which worsens overtime due to the progression of the condition.

The relationship of the mind and the brain

It is clear to say that changes in the mind can be influenced by altering the brain. Our understanding of what the brain is has evolved as we looked for explanations for changes in the mind and personality. Understanding of neuroplasticity helps in understanding how the brain adapts to changes which in turn affects the function of the mind.

Reference List

Kendra Cherry (November 08, 2022) What Is Neuroplasticity? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886 [Accessed March 28 2023]

Puderbaugh M, Emmady PD (May 8 2022). Neuroplasticity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811/ [Accessed March 28 2023]

Mary West (August 16, 2022) “What is a lobotomy? Uses, history, and more”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-a-lobotomy#do-they-still-happen [Accessed March 28 2023]

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. (January 12, 2023) "lobotomy". Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/science/lobotomy. [Accessed 28 March 2023.]

Abby Doty, Michelle Giordano (April 30, 2022) “What Are the Different Types of Drugs?”

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/types-of-drugs/ [Accessed 28 March 2023.]

Dr. Ananya Mandal (.n.d) “What is Adenosine?”

https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Adenosine.aspx [Accessed 14 April 2023]

Thomas Kosten and Tony George (July 2002) “The Neurobiology of Opioid Dependence: Implications for Treatment”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851054/ [Accessed 14 April 2023]

MentalHelp.net (.n.d) “The Brains of Addicts”

https://www.mentalhelp.net/addiction/the-brains-of-addicts/ [Accessed 14 April 2023]

Alzheimer’s Association (.n.d) “Huntington's Disease”

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/huntington-s-disease [Accessed 15 April 2023]