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<p>Nick - <br>
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<p>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".<br>
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<p>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.<br>
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<p>B) <i>P</i><i>lastic</i> vs <i>elastic</i> 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?<br>
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- Steve<br>
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