[FRIAM] is this true?

[Steven A Smith]

Nick -

A) Autonomic bodily function.  Biomechanical body changes.   We can walk
with a limp (or choose not to walk) because our leg is damaged without
any change to the brain.  Perhaps our brain WILL change in response to
our constant limping (or not leaving our chair/bed), but it isn't a
brain change that changes our behaviour.  IN the small, the signals to
the brain that something is wrong might not even get there, or be
scrambled, trusting/deferring to the autonomic system to "do the right
thing" and at best "keep the brain informed of changes".

B) Bio/Neurochemistry.  Changes in blood glucose, hormones, introduced
mood-altering substances.  Misbehaving glands (thyroid, pancreas, etc.)
can trigger all kinds of mood/behaviour changes.  Glen reminds us that
our microbiome can change our behaviour/mind/mood as well... people have
had huge shifts in mood/behaviour after overzealous use of antibiotics
or a failure of the GI tract. You can call these brain (chemistry)
changes, but the change in mind/mood/behaviour is more the way the brain
function changes in response to the changed chemical milieu than changes
*to* the brain.

B) /P//lastic/ vs /elastic/ changes.  A shot of coffee or juice (or
mood-altering substance of choice) can shift the *brain metabolism* in
ways that radically and quickly change behavior.  As the neurochemistry
returns to "normal" (alcohol leaves the system (sober up) and we
rehydrate (recover from hangover)), the enduring changes to the brain
are minimal (thought they can endure/accrue over time).   Similarly a
therapy session, some deep prayer, or a new years resolution can lead us
to a "change of heart/mind" but it is unlikely to LAST unless there are
attendant changes in habits and relationships.   It is those changes in
behaviour, related to the "habits and relationships" that I contend
*change the brain* and that a great deal of the long-lasting change
doesn't even happen IN the brain, though it may be that the brain's
interaction with/response to changes in biochemistry (and biomechanics?)
lead to changes in brain (and mind) function.  Put the weight back on,
crash your gut bacteria, go off your meds, and by golly you may end up
right back where you were before you made those bodily/environmental
changes in the first place.  If your *brain changed* when you made those
other changes in habit/behaviour, why did it change back so precisely?  
Had it ever really *changed* at all?  Or was it just responding
differently to a different milieu/stimulus?

- Steve
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